The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday March 26, 2026. The NIACC Spring 2026 Venture School cohort competed in person after attending classes virtually for 7 weeks of training, customer discovery, and developing their business model alongside local entrepreneur coaches. A panel of judges selected First, Second, and Third Place winners, with a fourth special prize for Best Non-Profit. The judges were: Karie Terhark, KT Facilitiation; Brook Boehmler, America’s SBDC Iowa (North Iowa Area); and Joyce Martin, NIACC Pappajohn Center.
Seven teams competed in the Spring 2026 Launch Day competition. Four top prizes were awarded:
First Prize ($1500) – Swift Lift Logistics, Luke & Starr Benjamin, Clear Lake, IA
Swift Lift Logistics serves North Iowa by coordinating small-scale moves and senior living transitions with a white-glove level of care. Their model is designed to eliminate the physical and mental burden of moving, turning a typically chaotic event into a managed, professional experience.
Second Prize ($1250) – SnapCache, Luke Tostenson, Mason City, IA
SnapCache LLC digitizes VHS tapes, photos, slides, negatives, and film reels for families across North Iowa and Southern Minnesota. We preserve irreplaceable memories by converting outdated media into modern digital formats that can be safely shared and cherished for generations.
Third Prize ($750) – Let Them Smile, Brima & Michaella Caulker, Mason City, IA
Let Them Smile provides personalized, compassionate home care that supports independence and dignity. We focus on quality, trust, and ensure our caregiver support ensures every client receives exceptional service. Our mission is simple: care that truly makes a difference, one smile at a time.
Best Non-Profit Prize ($500) – Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce Marketing Studio, Libbey Hohn, Maddie Anderly, and Stacy Doughan, Clear Lake, IA
The Clear Lake Chamber Marketing Studio is a member-exclusive, package-based service that provides local businesses with clear marketing strategy and hands-on execution tailored to their goals. We turn ideas into consistent, authentic content that connects with customers and drives real results—giving business owners their time back.
Honorable Mentions –
The Fiddle Leaf, Lauren Lundberg, Charles City, IA
The Fiddle Leaf helps people become more thoughtful, even when they are forgetful. Through our flower stand, subscription model, and pop-up boutiques turn an ordinary Tuesday into an extraordinary one.
Launch Point, Mason Koudelka, Waukon, IA
A revolutionary portable football tracker and simulator designed for specialists. This gives the athlete the opportunity to practice anytime, anywhere, and still receive valuable data on kicks and snaps.
Painted Soda Studio, Shanna Van Ackeren, Klemme, IA
Painted Soda Studio transforms creative expression into a full sensory experience. From hands-on art projects to bold, imaginative soda flavors, if you can dream it, you can make it. We turn ordinary moments into unforgettable experiences.
The University of Iowa Venture School is a premier statewide program for entrepreneurs and is built from a streamlined curriculum developed by the National Science Foundation I-Corps at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. Venture School emphasizes real-world entrepreneurship and innovation based on leading edge curriculum. Teams will accelerate the startup process by testing their business model hypotheses immediately. They get out of the building to talk to customers, partners, and competitors, rather than relying on statistics and secondhand market research.
Each Venture School team is assigned a local entrepreneur as their coach. On Launch Day, participants compete for seed money. In addition, eligible teams may compete for cash awards at the state level during the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day at EntreFEST in Cedar Rapids, IA on June 11-12, 2026. The cost for Venture School is $299. If you have questions about applying to Venture School or are interested in becoming a Venture School coach, please contact Ashley Page at ashley.page@niacc.edu. To apply for the Fall 2026 cohort, visit www.venture-school.com and select the Mason City cohort in the dropdown menu.
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is the expert in rural business innovation and success. In partnership with North Iowa’s Small Business Development Center, together we provide tools, support, and resources to Iowa’s entrepreneurs. We counsel both new and existing local businesses, from Main Street to industry leaders. We’re growing Iowa’s entrepreneurial culture through grade school initiatives, college and community programs, and business training and development. Contact the NIACC Pappajohn Center at 641-422-4111 or pappajohn@niacc.edu. Visit the NIACC Pappajohn Center online at www.pappajohncenter.com.
