Top

In 1996, John Pappajohn, president of Equity Dynamics, Inc., established five entrepreneurial centers throughout Iowa. Although each center defines its own mission and serves the state in a manner consistent with its particular strengths, each center has the same ultimate purpose: to enhance the effectiveness of Iowa's entrepreneurs.

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Northern Iowa is a resource center coordinating existing University and JPEC resources and those of its individual, business, and government partners to promote and develop entrepreneurship throughout Iowa. The JPEC is a division of UNI's Business and Community Services (BCS), which is part of the College of Business Administration.

The primary mission of the UNI JPEC is to foster the development of entrepreneurship throughout Iowa by providing or facilitating support for a variety of direct educational, consultative, and other services. The UNI JPEC focuses on two primary areas of entrepreneurship: (1) capital programs and, (2) student/faculty/staff entrepreneurship.

For those not affiliated with the University of Northern Iowa (not a student, faculty, staff, or recent graduate {5 years or less}) and needing entrepreneurial assistance, you may avail yourself of the services of the UNI Regional Business Center at 212 E. Fourth Street in Waterloo, 319-236-8123, or http://www.unirbc.org. JPEC capital programs are open to all qualifying businesses and individuals. See the specific program guidelines for details.

Top

Who is John Pappajohn?

In 1996, the Greater Des Moines Committee again recognized a major contributor to the Iowa business community when it installed John Pappajohn as its latest inductee into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Pappajohn, who grew up in Mason City, is the President of Equity Dynamics, Inc. and the President and sole owner of Pappajohn Capital Resources, both located in Des Moines.

After his graduation from North Iowa Area Community College and The University of Iowa, Mr. Pappajohn spent nine years as an insurance agent before he founded his first company, Guardsman Life Investors, Inc. Since selling Guardsman in 1969, Mr. Pappajohn has established dozens of new firms. Many of these firms, remain in Mr. Pappajohn�s corporate portfolio in various stages of development. By establishing these firms, Mr. Pappajohn has contributed much to the development of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and other innovations.

Mr. Pappajohn has also made numerous contributions to many segments of the community, and in the fall of 1996, he established the UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center through a generous $1.1 million gift. UNI�s JPEC was one of five entrepreneurial centers established at the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, Drake University, and North Iowa Area Community College. Although each entrepreneurial center has defined its own mission and serves the state in the manner consistent with its particular strengths, each center has the same ultimate purpose: to enhance the effectiveness of Iowa�s entrepreneurs. Mr. Pappajohn added to his gift with another gift of $1 million in 2000.

Top

JPEC Programs

A listing of programs offered by the JPEC can be found in the left column of this webpage and throughout the website.

Top

Contact Us

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is located on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Suite 5 on the ground floor on the west end of the Curris Business Building and Suite 264 on the second floor on the east end (in the Management wing).

Directions to UNI

Regional Map of Iowa

Waterloo/Cedar Falls Map

Campus Map

For more information on the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, please contact us at: