John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Student Business Incubator

Business and Community Services Bldg., Suite 128
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0130
(319) 273-JPEC (5732) Fax: (319) 273-5733
E-mail: jpec@uni.edu www.jpec.org

Creating a Culture for Entrepreneurship at UNI!

STUDENT BUSINESS INCUBATOR

About the Incubator Lunch & Learn Student Businesses

The UNI Student Business Incubator is an educational learning laboratory and a program of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center designed to inspire and educate students interested in entrepreneurship and small business. The SBI program was originally funded by the Small Business Administration and private donations. These funds allow student business owners to explore business ideas with the assistance of JPEC staff and others. Current UNI students and teams of students are eligible to apply. Students are admitted on a semester basis and must demonstrate adequate progress to remain in the program. Students are required to participate in programs designed to increase the chances for entrepreneurial success. There are two types of incubation in the SBI -- physical (full) incubation and affiliate incubation. Students involved in full incubation receive a suite in the JPEC's facility located in the Business and Community Services building on the UNI campus. Students in the affiliate program may not be ready to occupy physical space in the incubator or the nature of the business may not warrant physical space. Affiliate businesses will receive all of the services except physical space. Students will graduate from the program equipped with the skills and experience necessary to create a positive influence on the Iowa economy.
Office

SBI benefits include:

One-on-one technical assistance
Legal and accounting services
Seed capital programs
Market research assistance
Professional office space
state-of-the-art technology
Dedicated server space
Standard office equipment
Access to meeting facilities
Small business resource library
Training programs
Mentoring programs
Networking Opportunities
work area

Professionals who are working with SBI businesses include:

Laurie Watje, CPA
Judy Schindel, CPA
Kris Gulick, CPA
Ann Robinson, PDCM Insurance
Eric Johnson, Attorney
Kate Mitchell, Attorney
Steve Dickinson, Attorney
Katherine Cota-Uyar, Management, Marketing, Communications and Financing
kitchen

The first step to being considered for the Student Business Incubator program is to study this presentation on business opportunity development and incubation. Click here for a pdf presentation about the SBI. Once you have finished the video, please contact Laurie Watje at 319-273-JPEC (5732) to schedule an appointment to take the quiz over the material in the presentation. At the time you take the quiz, you can submit your application for the SBI program. Click here for an application for the SBI program,. For more information on the SBI, you may call the JPEC at 319-273-JPEC (5732). Click here for a pdf of the SBI brochure.

Top

LUNCH & LEARN/FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Students enrolled in the Student Business Incubator program may register for any of the classes and workshops that will help with personal or business development. The classes and workshops change from semester to semester. Check with any JPEC or SBI staff member for a current list or click on the Calendar of Events page on this website for a list of what is being offered for the current semester. Classes and workshops are usually held on the University of Northern Iowa campus in the Business and Community Services Building. All classes are free to UNI Incubator students. The series is supported and sponsored by the UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center.

Top

SPRING 2010 STUDENT BUSINESSES

3Fueled LLC -- Visit it at 3fueled.com
Harris Graphics
SMJ Photography & Creations
Hoyer Senior Services Visit it at Cedar Valley Seniors
Synn Clothing Visit Synn at synnclothing.com and visit WorkoutBOX at WorkoutBOX.com
Book Hatchery -- e-book publishing software
Rea Gold -- women's clothing website
Sanctuary -- yoga studio

STUDENT BUSINESS GRADUATES

E-Holdings LLC
E-Holdings has been very successful in the SBI program. At one point in the SBI, E-Holdings was running eight businesses. E-Holdings graduated from the SBI and is currently located in the Innovation Incubator in the BCS building. Here are links to many of E-Holdings websites, www.bellybling.net , www.greatminiatures.com , Gold Belly Rings ; and www.myhairstylingtools.com
Millenial Marketing & ManagementThe owner has currently taken a position with a Cedar Falls company.
Mark Watje, who owned two businesses while in the SBI, currently works for Wayne Engineering in Cedar Falls and is in the MBA program at the University of Iowa.
Chris Harms, who owned Breakaway Consulting which provided alternative energy consulting to industrial and commercial clients, has accepted a position with Principal Group Investments in Des Moines.
Green's Organics
Green's Organics is continuing to expand its farming operations in Northeast Iowa. Some of its products can be found in local stores such as Roots Market in Cedar Falls.
Big League Analysis.com
Learn how Tyson Hanish, a former professional baseball player with the New York Yankees organization, took his skills, knowledge, and contacts and is using them to help little league and high school ball players improve their skills. Read about Tyson's third-place win at the National Elevator Pitch Competition in Chicago in November, 2008. Hanish Wins! Here's the link to his website, bigleagueanalysis.com
Rausch Brothers Trucking
Rausch Brothers Trucking continues to be one of the largest construction trucking operations in Iowa. Feel free to call them at their Ionia location at 1521 220th St, Ionia, IA 50645; 641-394-4384 for your trucking needs.
Razor-Sharp Window Cleaning
Joe explored several businesses while in the SBI and graduated with a successful window cleaning business.
The first graduate from the SBI in May of 2007 was Carlos Arguello with his businesses La Prensa (Hispanic Newspaper) and CAAL Translation Services. Check out La Prensa at its website.

STUDENT BUSINESS RELOCATED TO OTHER UNIVERSITY

Enderton Strength -- Visit it at enderton-strength.com

To contact us:

John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
University of Northern Iowa
Business and Community Services, Suite 128
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0130

Phone: 319-273-JPEC (5732)
Fax: 319-273-5733
Email: jpec@uni.edu