The Venture School program operated statewide by the University of Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) has been honored as a Partner of the Year by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Iowa.

Venture School programs aid aspiring entrepreneurs by accelerating the startup process through real-world experimentation and mentor feedback. JPEC offers Venture School several times each year for entrepreneurs at locations in Des Moines, Sioux City, the Quad Cities, and Iowa City.

America’s SBDC Iowa, funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and located in the Iowa State University College of Business, helps to mentor Venture School participants across the state, and many times continues to do so after they’ve graduated.