Eight Iowa start-up entrepreneurs graduated from the University of Iowa Venture School program for entrepreneurial development November 24 at the STEM Regional Center in Coralville.

The eight teams competed for $5,000 in seed money and gained extensive knowledge to expand their professional network with entrepreneurs and business leaders in Iowa City and across the state. Entrepreneurs and business leaders from the Iowa City area joined the UI Venture School faculty to serve as mentors and team coaches.

The graduating businesses and the amount of seed money each was awarded include: Flow Media ($1,000), E’s Gluten Free Bakery ($1,000), Hardware Solutions, ($1,000), Marry My City ($1,000), GuardianIowa ($500), and Alt Z ($500).

The Venture School program is an intense 6 week program that helps entrepreneurs by accelerating the startup process and increasing their odds of success. UI Venture School, which is managed by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC), is the state of Iowa’s only National Science Foundation I-Corps Site.