Zack Smith of Lake Mills, IA won Second Place at the 2026 EntreFEST Pitch Competition on June 12th, 2026. The EntreFEST Pitch Competition, presented by Hy-Vee, brought together community leaders, founders, investors, and supporters In Iowa City to hear from five entrepreneurs as they competed for $15,000 in prize funding. Now in its second year of partnership with Hy-Vee, the competition is designed to be an accessible platform for Midwest startups at any stage of development and offers founders visibility, feedback from experienced judges, and valuable connections within Iowa’s entrepreneurial network.
Zack Smith of The Stock Cropper won the Second Place prize of $3,500. The Stock Cropper provides solutions for integrated livestock and crops with his invention, the ClusterCluck Drive. The ClusterCluck Drive is a solar-powered electric drive unit that bolts onto your existing portable coop or pen and moves it for you — manually with a Bluetooth key fob or on a fully autonomous straight-line schedule through a web-based app. The Stock Cropper and the ClusterCluck Drive are transforming how local food systems work by giving people the practical tools they need.
Candi Karsjens, Executive Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the NIACC Pappajohn Center, said, “Entrepreneurs like Zack Smith don't just identify problems; they relentlessly pursue meaningful solutions. The Stock Cropper is a great example of how entrepreneurial ingenuity can create lasting impact for producers and local food systems alike.”
EntreFEST is a two-day conference celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation where professionals at every level can come together, share ideas, and own their success. For more than a decade, EntreFEST has brought together entrepreneurs and industry leaders from across the state and the Midwest. EntreFEST 2026 was hosted by NewBoCo, a Cedar Rapids-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose programming includes accelerators, tech education and community events.
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is North Iowa’s hub for new business starts, innovation, and rural business success. From Main Street startups to industry leaders, we’re building a stronger Iowa through hands-on advising, stakeholder-driven programs, and a commitment to entrepreneurial education, from the classroom to the boardroom. Contact the NIACC Pappajohn Center at 641-422-4111 or pappajohn@niacc.edu. Visit the NIACC Pappajohn Center online at www.pappajohncenter.com.
