FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Pappajohn Center recognized for its Outstanding Contributions to Venture Creation

AMES, Iowa (November 10, 2020) – The Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations announced today the Iowa State University Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship was named one of five finalists in the Outstanding Contributions to Venture Creation award category by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) – the worldwide premier academic association of entrepreneurship educators. The award is given to honor a center that creatively supports the process of launching and accelerating university affiliated startups through competitions, incubators, accelerators, or other programs.

“We are so proud to be selected among other top entrepreneurship programs with this recognition,” said ISU Pappajohn Center Director Judi Eyles. “Iowa State truly enlists a cross-disciplinary approach, with all seven colleges across campus participating in our robust and comprehensive entrepreneurship ecosystem in an effort to support the university’s mission to create, share, and apply knowledge to make Iowa and the world a better place. Collectively, innovation and entrepreneurship is a top priority at Iowa State, and we couldn’t be happier to be recognized for the work being done to cultivate, support, launch and accelerate our university-affiliated startups.”

Designed to showcase and celebrate university entrepreneurship, the annual GCEC awards ceremony recognizes top entrepreneurship programs from around the world. In all, GCEC received 101 submissions from 76 global universities in nine award categories. The 2020 award finalists and winners were announced October 30 in a virtual ceremony during the annual GCEC Conference hosted by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Outstanding Contributions to Venture Creation finalists included:

  • Gary S. Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Minnesota
  • McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship and Arizona FORGE at the University of Arizona
  • Neeley Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Texas Christian University
  • Northeastern University Center for Entrepreneurship Education at Northeastern University
  • Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship at Iowa State University

The Neeley Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Texas Christian University and Northeastern University Center for Entrepreneurship Education at Northeastern University were announced overall winners of the category.

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About Economic Development and Industry Relations
The Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR) at Iowa State University assists external stakeholders, both individuals and companies, in accessing Iowa State’s unique capabilities and services. EDIR is a single point of contact to streamline the process of making connections between industry and the university. For more information, visit econdev.iastate.edu 

About ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship
The ISU John Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, part of the Ivy College of Business and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations, offers numerous programs and services that broadly reach and connect students, community entrepreneurs, business professionals, and alumni. The Center has two primary objectives: 1) to create a culture that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, 2) to provide the tools necessary for building and improving Iowa’s businesses. Outreach efforts are designed to help individuals recognize opportunities, gain skills and experiences to take advantage of opportunities, and connect with the right resources and support to launch a successful business. For more information, visit isupjcenter.org

Contact:
Julie Lelonek, Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations Communications
515-294-1562, jlelonek@iastate.edu

Iowa State University
Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations
1805 Collaboration Place
Ames, IA 50010