University of Iowa entrepreneurship program launches student businesses

This story first appeared in Celebrating Entrepreneurship 2025, an annual special section that highlights the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Corridor.

Entrepreneurship is alive and well at the University of Iowa.

When a student has a spark for a business idea, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Startup Incubator is the perfect place for them to connect with resources for exploring the next step.

“At the pre-incubator, or ‘idea stage,’ we help students turn sparks into something tangible,” said Director Janice Baldes. “Many start with just a problem they’ve noticed or an idea they can’t shake, and we guide them in validating the need, shaping the concept and building confidence to take it further.”

Currently, the program has about 30 students in this early stage, plus another 30 students in the official incubator program. Baldes, who has served in her role for the last year, said that with some new programming plans underway, they expect to have close to 100 students engaged by the end of the school year.

“Our startup incubator is essential to the entrepreneurship landscape,” Baldes said. “We reach students at the start of their journey — when ideas are bold and curiosity is high. Our programs provide a safe space to experiment, learn and fail forward, offering mentorship, coaching and community that turns raw ideas into real ventures.”

There’s also opportunities for funding, and dedicated office and collaborative workspaces throughout the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory. There are regular pitch competitions that serve as an entry point.

“Students gain access to one-on-one coaching, practical workshops and mentorship from entrepreneurs and alumni who’ve been where they are,” Baldes said.

“But more than anything, it’s the culture that sets us apart. There’s just an incredible sense of camaraderie — students encourage one another, share ideas and celebrate each other’s wins. It’s a place where they can experiment, learn and find their people. When students see their peers turn ideas into real ventures, entrepreneurship feels achievable — not abstract or out of reach,” Baldes added. “Our students’ stories spark confidence, normalize risk-taking and remind others that success often starts small, with curiosity and persistence.”

While the work is meaningful and rewarding, it’s certainly not easy.

“Balancing a full course load while building a startup is no small feat. Student founders are constantly shifting between classes, deadlines and the demands of running a business — often sacrificing sleep, weekends and free time to make their ideas real. That’s why community matters so much. Having peers who understand the ups and downs of the journey helps combat the loneliness that can come with entrepreneurship and reminds students they’re not in it alone.”

Plus, Baldes said they have been reworking the program to meet students where they are and create a custom roadmap for each founder.

“That’s helped them move from splashing around with ideas to actually swimming forward and building momentum,” she said.

Other ideas have boosted program awareness.

“We’re also building stronger bridges across campus — connecting with colleges like Engineering and Pharmacy — and bringing our pitch competitions out of classrooms and into the mainstream of student life. It’s been amazing to see how that visibility has changed things,” Baldes said. “At our most recent pitch event at the IMU, we had close to 100 students in attendance. That kind of energy and awareness is exactly what we want to create: a vibrant, connected entrepreneurial community that feels accessible to everyone.”

University of Iowa Students Tyler Graham and Johnathan Brown pitch their business, Archaneon Supplements, at the Iowa JPEC Startup Incubator Summer Track Demo Day on Aug. 7, 2025, at MERGE Iowa City. Graham and Brown earned second place and $3,000. (Darren Miller/University of Iowa JPEC)

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Inventor, scientist and UI student Dasia Taylor pitches NERD STEM Box to judges at the Iowa JPEC Startup Incubator Summer Track Demo Day on Aug. 7, 2025, at MERGE Iowa City. Taylor earned first place and $3,500. (Darren Miller/University of Iowa JPEC)

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The excitement doesn’t stop there either.

“This spring, we’ll have students representing the University of Iowa at national pitch competitions across the country — a huge testament to the talent and drive we’re seeing on campus,” she said.

Baldes said they are also launching a Battle of the Dorms competition this winter to engage more first-year students and help them see that entrepreneurship can start from day one.

“Beyond that, we’re expanding our pre-incubator programming to give even more students a way to plug into the community, build skills and explore ideas in a supportive environment, " she added. “And we’re also working closely with alumni founders and our local economic development partners to help bridge the gap between campus and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem — showing students what entrepreneurship looks like beyond college.”

For Baldes, the impact has been incredible to watch.

“For many students, this is the first time they’ve been given permission — and support — to chase an idea of their own,” Baldes said. “We’ve seen students gain confidence, develop leadership skills and build something that gives them real-world experience before they even graduate.”

In addition to the individual wins, the bigger impact has been cultural, Baldes adds.

“Entrepreneurship is becoming visible and celebrated across campus. Students from all majors are realizing that innovation isn’t just for business students — it’s for anyone with curiosity and initiative,” she said. “That shift in mindset, where students see themselves as problem-solvers and creators, is one of the most exciting parts of what we’re doing.”

“At the heart of it all, we want students to know that entrepreneurship is for anyone with the curiosity, passion, courage and drive to explore it. Anything we can do to grow that mindset — and to be a highly visible, creative force on campus — is what we’re going to keep working toward,” Baldes added.