Iowa City firm one of 3 winners in business plan competition

Radiology Protocols of Iowa City is one of three winners to be recognized at the John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition's special awards luncheon Nov. 16.

The top three companies in the competition will receive checks of $25,000 for first place, $15,000 for second place and $10,000 for third place. A short video about each company will be presented during the ceremony at Drake University's Levitt Hall in Des Moines.

Radiology Protocols developed an online medical imaging process to make radiologic imaging efficient and accurate, according to a statement from the competition. The company was founded in 2008.

VSI Aerospace of Ames and M & S Flowmatics of Ames round out the three finalists.

VSI Aerospace develops systems that combine software and air pressure sensors to alert pilots of trajectory changes to enhance safety and fuel savings. M & S Flowmatics has developed a unique flow meter for real-time measurement of granular material flow through a pipe.

The competition reviewed 50 business plan entries over a seven-month process. Seven businesses were presented to a panel of judges, who narrowed the field to three on Sept. 8. The judging panel included the five John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center representatives from the Iowa Small Business Development Center.