IDEA Camp - Charles City
2025-07-02 08:30 - 15:00 UTC | NIACC Career Center – Charles City, 203 Brantingham St, Charles City, IA, 50616, United States
An exciting day camp opportunity for 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students
Dive into the exciting world of entrepreneurship at our dynamic day camp designed for 6th-8th grade students! This hands-on program guides young innovators through the essential stages of business creation, from brainstorming ideas to crafting a solid business model. Whether students come with a business idea in mind or need help discovering one, our camp provides the tools and support needed to bring their entrepreneurial dreams to life.

Date: Wednesday July 2, 2025
Check-in: 8am – 8:30am
Time: 8:30am – 3:00pm
Cost: $49 (lunch included)
Location: NIACC Career Center – Charles City

1203 Brantingham St
Charles City, IA 50616

Questions? Please contact the Pappajohn Center at pappajohn@niacc.edu or call 641-422-4111. Or contact Raegan Hanson, Youth Entrepreneurship Coordinator, directly at raegan.hanson@niacc.edu or call 641-422-4234.
Register Now >

What Students Will Learn

Ideation and Discovery: Develop creative thinking skills and learn how to identify problems and opportunities that can lead to innovative business ideas.
Business Model Canvas: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the nine key building blocks of the Business Model Canvas, including value proposition, target market, and revenue streams.
Value Proposition: Discover how to define and deliver products or services that meet customer needs.
Target Market: Understand the importance of identifying and analyzing the ideal customer for a business idea.
Marketing Strategies: Learn how to create simple, effective marketing plans to promote a business idea.
The Role of Partnerships: Explore how key partners, resources, and activities can strengthen a business.
Financial Literacy: Create simple financial projections to estimate costs and revenue.

Activities & Deliverables:

Interactive Workshops: Hands-on sessions focused on real-world applications of entrepreneurship concepts.
Business Model Canvas: Each student will complete a Business Model Canvas for their business idea, outlining the critical elements of their proposed venture.
Executive Summary: Students will write a clear, concise overview of their business, showcasing their understanding of the entrepreneurship process.
Financial Projections: Simple, guided exercises to help students estimate startup costs, pricing, and potential revenue.
Pitch Presentation: The camp culminates in a presentation where students pitch their ideas to peers and instructors, gaining confidence and feedback.

Who Should Attend?
This camp is perfect for middle schoolers eager to explore entrepreneurship, develop creative problem-solving skills, and build confidence in their ability to create and innovate. No prior experience is required—just curiosity and enthusiasm!

IDEA Camp - Forest City
2025-06-27 08:30 - 15:00 | John V. Hanson Career Center, 124 Nerem Drive South, Forest City, IA, 50436, United States
An exciting day camp opportunity for 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students
Dive into the exciting world of entrepreneurship at our dynamic day camp designed for 6th-8th grade students! This hands-on program guides young innovators through the essential stages of business creation, from brainstorming ideas to crafting a solid business model. Whether students come with a business idea in mind or need help discovering one, our camp provides the tools and support needed to bring their entrepreneurial dreams to life.

Date: Friday June 27, 2025
Check-in: 8am – 8:30am
Time: 8:30am – 3:30pm
Cost: $49 (lunch included)
Location: John K Hanson Career Center

124 Nerem Drive South
Forest City, IA 50436

Questions? Please contact the Pappajohn Center at pappajohn@niacc.edu or call 641-422-4111. Or contact Raegan Hanson, Youth Entrepreneurship Coordinator, directly at raegan.hanson@niacc.edu or call 641-422-4234.
Register Now >

What Students Will Learn

Ideation and Discovery: Develop creative thinking skills and learn how to identify problems and opportunities that can lead to innovative business ideas.
Business Model Canvas: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the nine key building blocks of the Business Model Canvas, including value proposition, target market, and revenue streams.
Value Proposition: Discover how to define and deliver products or services that meet customer needs.
Target Market: Understand the importance of identifying and analyzing the ideal customer for a business idea.
Marketing Strategies: Learn how to create simple, effective marketing plans to promote a business idea.
The Role of Partnerships: Explore how key partners, resources, and activities can strengthen a business.
Financial Literacy: Create simple financial projections to estimate costs and revenue.

Activities & Deliverables:

Interactive Workshops: Hands-on sessions focused on real-world applications of entrepreneurship concepts.
Business Model Canvas: Each student will complete a Business Model Canvas for their business idea, outlining the critical elements of their proposed venture.
Executive Summary: Students will write a clear, concise overview of their business, showcasing their understanding of the entrepreneurship process.
Financial Projections: Simple, guided exercises to help students estimate startup costs, pricing, and potential revenue.
Pitch Presentation: The camp culminates in a presentation where students pitch their ideas to peers and instructors, gaining confidence and feedback.

Who Should Attend?
This camp is perfect for middle schoolers eager to explore entrepreneurship, develop creative problem-solving skills, and build confidence in their ability to create and innovate. No prior experience is required—just curiosity and enthusiasm!

IDEA Camp - Mason City
2025-06-24 08:30 - 15:00 | Pappajohn Center #117, 500 College Dr, Mason City, IA, 50401, United States
An exciting day camp opportunity for 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students
Dive into the exciting world of entrepreneurship at our dynamic day camp designed for 6th-8th grade students! This hands-on program guides young innovators through the essential stages of business creation, from brainstorming ideas to crafting a solid business model. Whether students come with a business idea in mind or need help discovering one, our camp provides the tools and support needed to bring their entrepreneurial dreams to life.

Date: Tuesday June 24, 2025
Check-in: 8am – 8:30am
Time: 8:30am – 3:00pm
Cost: $49 (lunch included)
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Center

Questions? Please contact the Pappajohn Center at pappajohn@niacc.edu or call 641-422-4111. Or contact Raegan Hanson, Youth Entrepreneurship Coordinator, directly at raegan.hanson@niacc.edu or call 641-422-4234.
Register Now >

What Students Will Learn

Ideation and Discovery: Develop creative thinking skills and learn how to identify problems and opportunities that can lead to innovative business ideas.
Business Model Canvas: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the nine key building blocks of the Business Model Canvas, including value proposition, target market, and revenue streams.
Value Proposition: Discover how to define and deliver products or services that meet customer needs.
Target Market: Understand the importance of identifying and analyzing the ideal customer for a business idea.
Marketing Strategies: Learn how to create simple, effective marketing plans to promote a business idea.
The Role of Partnerships: Explore how key partners, resources, and activities can strengthen a business.
Financial Literacy: Create simple financial projections to estimate costs and revenue.

Activities & Deliverables:

Interactive Workshops: Hands-on sessions focused on real-world applications of entrepreneurship concepts.
Business Model Canvas: Each student will complete a Business Model Canvas for their business idea, outlining the critical elements of their proposed venture.
Executive Summary: Students will write a clear, concise overview of their business, showcasing their understanding of the entrepreneurship process.
Financial Projections: Simple, guided exercises to help students estimate startup costs, pricing, and potential revenue.
Pitch Presentation: The camp culminates in a presentation where students pitch their ideas to peers and instructors, gaining confidence and feedback.

Who Should Attend?
This camp is perfect for middle schoolers eager to explore entrepreneurship, develop creative problem-solving skills, and build confidence in their ability to create and innovate. No prior experience is required—just curiosity and enthusiasm!

IDEA Camp
2025-02-17 08:30 - 15:30 | NIACC, 500 College Dr, Mason City, IA, 50401, United States
An exciting day camp opportunity for 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students
Dive into the exciting world of entrepreneurship at our dynamic day camp designed for 6th-8th grade students! This hands-on program guides young innovators through the essential stages of business creation, from brainstorming ideas to crafting a solid business model. Whether students come with a business idea in mind or need help discovering one, our camp provides the tools and support needed to bring their entrepreneurial dreams to life.

Date: Monday, February 17, 2025
Check-in: 8am – 8:30am
Time: 8:30am – 3:30pm
Cost: $49
Location: NIACC Recreation Center

Register for IDEA Camp

What Students Will Learn

Ideation and Discovery: Develop creative thinking skills and learn how to identify problems and opportunities that can lead to innovative business ideas.
Business Model Canvas: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the nine key building blocks of the Business Model Canvas, including value proposition, target market, and revenue streams.
Value Proposition: Discover how to define and deliver products or services that meet customer needs.
Target Market: Understand the importance of identifying and analyzing the ideal customer for a business idea.
Marketing Strategies: Learn how to create simple, effective marketing plans to promote a business idea.
The Role of Partnerships: Explore how key partners, resources, and activities can strengthen a business.
Financial Literacy: Create simple financial projections to estimate costs and revenue.

Activities & Deliverables:

Interactive Workshops: Hands-on sessions focused on real-world applications of entrepreneurship concepts.
Business Model Canvas: Each student will complete a Business Model Canvas for their business idea, outlining the critical elements of their proposed venture.
Executive Summary: Students will write a clear, concise overview of their business, showcasing their understanding of the entrepreneurship process.
Financial Projections: Simple, guided exercises to help students estimate startup costs, pricing, and potential revenue.
Pitch Presentation: The camp culminates in a presentation where students pitch their ideas to peers and instructors, gaining confidence and feedback.

Who Should Attend?
This camp is perfect for middle schoolers eager to explore entrepreneurship, develop creative problem-solving skills, and build confidence in their ability to create and innovate. No prior experience is required—just curiosity and enthusiasm!
Register for IDEA Camp

Youth Entrepreneurial Academy 2023
2023-06-12 08:00 - 2023-06-16 17:00 | NIACC, 500 College Dr, Mason City, IA, 50401, United States
Inspiring creativity. Empowering success.
The Youth Entrepreneurial Academy is an opportunity for North Iowa high school students to learn and practice the essential entrepreneurial skills that are crucial for success in any career.
YEA features fun activities, opportunities for teamwork, insights into business skills like financing and marketing, local field trips, and insightful guest speakers.
Every student will have the chance to discover how their personal strengths and interests can be developed and applied to create their own path to success.
Applications due May 16

Apply now for YEA 2023

2022 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy Pitch Competition
2022-06-21 17:30 - 21:00 | Muse Norris Conferance Center, 500 College Dr., Mason City, IA, 50401, United States
The Summer 2022 YEA students will compete in a pitch competition Tuesday, June 21st. Each Student will present their pitch to a panel of judges, followed by a Q&A. The event will be held in-person at Muse Norris Conference Center at NIACC.
Youth Entrepreneurial Academy, aka YEA, is a fun opportunity to learn about starting your own business and begin creating wealth for yourself doing something you are passionate about. Learn the ins and outs of starting a business and becoming your own boss. Students will transform ideas and passions into a viable business plan. Every participant will receive a $500 NIACC scholarship and have an opportunity to compete for seed money to launch their business this summer. At the end of YEA students have the opportunity to compete in a pitch competition and win seed money for their venture.
Click here to learn more about the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy.

2022 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy
2022-06-13 - 2022-06-17 | IA
The 2022 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy will be held June 13-17, 21. The Youth Entrepreneurial Academy consists of several components, including an evening orientation and a five-day academy in which you focus on the development of skills, knowledge, and attitudes of entrepreneurship.
YEA is a fun opportunity to learn about starting your own business and begin creating wealth for yourself doing something you are passionate about. Learn the ins and outs of starting a business and becoming your own boss. Students will transform ideas and passions into a viable business plan. Every participant will receive a $500 NIACC scholarship and have an opportunity to compete for seed money to launch their business this summer.
Applications are also available from your high school advisors, business teachers or the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center: 2022 YEA application.
Applications are due May 16, 2022 for priority deadline, or until program is full.
Learn More & Apply to YEA

Student Venture Competition Finals
2022-04-28 08:00 - 13:00 | IA
Sponsored by John Pappajohn, 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 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.
Finalists will give a pitch (including pitch deck) to John Pappajohn and his senior advisors at Equity Dynamics in Des Moines, Iowa. Three top awards ($5,000 each) will be presented following a luncheon event. $5,000 winners are not eligible for the $500 regional award – only one award per team.

Student Venture Competition Application Deadline
2022-04-01 | IA
Sponsored by John Pappajohn, 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 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.
Click Here For More Details

2021 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy
2021-06-14 - 2021-06-18 | IA
The 2021 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy will be held June 14 – 18 as a hybrid academy with virtual classroom plus face to face team building and networking activities in various locations in North Iowa.
YEA is a fun opportunity to learn about starting your own business and begin creating wealth for yourself doing something you are passionate about. Learn the ins and outs of starting a business and becoming your own boss. Students will transform ideas and passions into a viable business plan. Every participant will receive a $500 NIACC scholarship and have an opportunity to compete for seed money to launch their business this summer.
Applications are also available from your counselor, business teachers or the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center: 2021 YEA application.
Applications are due May 26, 2021 for priority deadline, or until program is full.
Learn More & Apply to YEA
