Eight Finalists Selected for John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition

Eight businesses have been selected to continue in the 2009 John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition. These businesses have already gone through several rounds of the competition. In the first round, businesses were invited to submit executive summaries of their businesses plans. Those were reviewed by judges and 30 were selected to continue in the competition. Twenty-six submitted full business plans, and the judges selected the eight finalists from that pool.

The eight businesses continuing in the competition are: Innovative Energy Solutions, Inc.; LuCella Biosciences, Inc.; BodyViz; Think Safe, Inc.; StarrMatica Learning Systems, LLC; Springboard Engineering, Inc; Bagolitas by Janice, LLC; and Energy Control Technologies, Inc.

“Now that we have selected eight finalists, each business plan competitor will interview with a panel of judges on Sept. 11,” said Randy Pilkington, director of UNI’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and competition judge. “Based on those presentations, we will choose the top three finalists to present at the Iowa Venture Capital and Entrepreneurs Conference.”

The Iowa Venture Capital and Entrepreneurs Conference (IVCEC) will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, on Oct. 6. Each business will give a 15-minutes presentation, and when all three businesses have presented, the judges will announce the winners.

The John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition is designed to stimulate business development and provide support for outstanding business plans. This year a total of $50,000 will be awarded to the top three submitted business plans ($25,000 for first prize, $15,000 for second and $10,000 for third). Honorable mention and $1,000 will be awarded to the other five companies.

For more information, visit the competition Web site, www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com, or contact one of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers located at Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers provide entrepreneurial education and business support, partnering with agencies like the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED), Entrepreneurial Development Centers (EDCs) and local entrepreneurs to assist with funding and other business needs.

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is located on the North Iowa Area Community College campus in Mason City and provides college level courses and degree programs in entrepreneurship, as well as comprehensive consulting services for business start-ups, existing industries and owner transitions in the North Iowa region. Space is available for start-up businesses in the North Iowa Business Incubator.