Venture School Cohort SP2021

The Spring 2021 cohort of Venture School is into its 6th week and 4 local entrepreneurs are working hard to bring their business ideas to life!

The Innovation Lab hosts Iowa Venture School in partnership with the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to support entrepreneurs and startups launch new ideas. Venture School is an innovative training program focused on real-world experimentation, customer discovery, and Lean LaunchPad methodologies. This program uses the official National Science Foundation I-Corps curriculum to help high-potential startups turn their ideas into reality.

Spring 2021 Cohort

Lu Gerdemann - Lu is developing her concept for an Instagram Museum. These are popping up around the country as attractions for tourists, and local creatives.

Amy Wagner - Amy is launching a new dog "motel" called Sabal's Sanctuary, a kenneling facility for dogs when their owners travel or need them out of the house.

Marlynn Livai - Marlynn is creating a new nonprofit called Pacific Islanders Rising, an organization designed to serve the Pacific Islander community.

David & Dan McElroy - David & his brother Dan are starting Data-Driven Dubuque, a company designed to help businesses understand and create value from the data they have.

Venture School wraps up on March 25th with final pitches and a chance for the best pitches to move on to the statewide pitch competition, hosted by Venture School, where they can win cash prizes to support their business idea.

Launch Your Business Idea

Are you ready to start on the path to creating a new business or nonprofit? The Innovation Lab has tools that can help. Including, the next cohort of Venture School which will begin in September.