John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

For over 28 years, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center has provided a strong foundation for Iowa entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders through the variety of services, programs and classes offered to UNI students and community learners. The JPEC and those that know it, know that it is driven by the fantastic staff that work the students and the community. Our long time staff member and Director, Laurie Watje retired in January of 2024 and to honor her legacy the JPEC Incubator Student Success Fund - In honor of Laurie Watje was established.

This fund will be used to support students at UNI as they begin and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. The JPEC is the hub where Iowa entrepreneurs can find resources, explore programs, collaborate with peers, develop new businesses and grow existing ventures. The JPEC is unique in that most student programming is privately funded. Therefore, we rely heavily on the support of donors who believe in our mission to empower and support entrepreneurs and innovators at UNI, in the Cedar Valley and throughout Iowa.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Your gift to the JPEC’s campaign provides funding to create relevant programming for clients ranging from middle school, high school and college students to startups and growing companies across the state.

Student Empowerment

Your investment allows our students to gain work and life skills through their engagement in service-based projects that grow new ventures, support small businesses and positively impact the Cedar Valley and Iowa economies.

Accelerator Programs

Your investment allows our students to participate in extended programming that provides them with the opportunity to build the foundations of their own businesses.

Educational Opportunities

Your investment allows the JPEC to offer creative entrepreneurship and innovation workshops to diverse groups throughout the state of Iowa.

Our Goal

The goal of the JPEC’s Entrepreneurial and Innovation #LivePurpleGiveGold campaign this year is to raise $2,500 through the support of 25 donors. We appreciate everyone that has already given to the fund to honor Laurie.

For more information on the services that the JPEC offers, visit our website at jpec.uni.edu.

We appreciate your support of the JPEC and thank you for your consideration. Go Panthers!