Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition

The application period for the 2024 Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition will soon be open.

Sponsored by John Pappajohn and Equity Dynamics, Inc., the Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition is intended for Iowa university and college students with an interest in starting their own business. Plans are judged based on a) content of plan and b) viability of a business idea. Three (3) seed grants in the amount of $5,000 are awarded to the top three business plans submitted in the competition. In addition, all finalists receive $500 if not chosen for the top awards. Dates and deadlines for the 2024 competition are as follows:

• April 1: Deadline to submit application and supporting materials for Round 1
• April 8 to 9: Round 1 judging
• April 10: Announcement of teams that will be advancing to Round 2
• April 22: Round 2 Presentations

For Round 1, Drake University will be hosting a Conference in conjunction with NIACC on April 5-6^th.

Friday April 5^th, 2024

Check in will open at 12pm

Kick Off Party at Maple Studios at 5pm

Saturday April 6^th, 2024 is Presentation Day!

(Presentations will take place throughout the day where students will be assigned a location and given 5min. to present and 5min. for judge’s questions)

Throughout the day there will be guest speakers, Ask Me Anything conversations, storytelling pitch workshops, group think tanks, and various sessions students can attend!

Winners (who advance to Round 2 on April 22) will be announced at 4pm at the concluding ceremony.

This will be a great opportunity to show off what you’ve been working on as well as network with fellow student entrepreneurs!

Download a copy of the 2024 Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Competition Application.

For more information about how we can help, contact the Entrepreneurship Centers at paula.kueter@drake.edu.