Several start-up ideas from University of Iowa students were awarded cash prizes in various categories in the recent Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) IdeaStorm competitions.

IdeaStorms are entry-level pitch competitions open to all UI students. They introduce students to innovation by encouraging them share their ideas in two minutes or less with their peers and a panel of judges. A total of 46 students pitched ideas in February at four different competitions, each with a different theme.

Students competed in four categories. The winners of each category received $500 and are listed below.

Health Initiatives

Aaron Silva, for a business developing a catheter with fiber optics within it allowing for easier disinfection.

Creative Concepts

Stephanie Zullo, for her business, Lingerie Shapewear.

Common Good

Ethan Bennett, for an app that encourages socialization between users by turning talking to each other into a game.

Consumer Solutions

Kristoff Poole, for his business, Proactive Homeless Help.