NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and Small Business Development Center

The 2025 Annual Impact Report

We are dedicated to inspiring, supporting, and accelerating business ownership and growth in North Iowa. The 2025 Annual Impact Report celebrates our entrepreneurs and highlights our Center’s impact.

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Entrepreneurship Essentials

Learn from anywhere with Entrepreneurship Essentials, a free workshop series where you’ll gain the knowledge to build a strong business foundation.

Entrepreneur Showcase

Billie Asmus of Repaint Studios shares her entrepreneurial journey of innovation and determination.

John Pappajohn

July 31, 1928 – April 22, 2023

Entrepreneur. Immigrant. Business Leader. Venture Capitalist. Philanthropist.

His Legacy

Celebrating Decades of Partnership

America’s SBDC Iowa celebrates their 40th Anniversary with a video ft. community partner NIACC, which has hosted the SBDC since 1985.

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Choose Your Path

Local support for local entrepreneurs. Choose a path to access guidance, training, and resources for your next move.

Get Started
Learn how to start or grow your business
Financing
Learn how to fund your business growth
Education
Find entrepreneurial training for all stages

The NIACC Pappajohn Center Impact since 1997

781

New Business Starts

NOVA students meeting with a local business owner.

5,000

Program Participants

3,308

Jobs Created

$100,000,000+

Capital Infusion

Pappajohn Gala

The Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala is a special evening dedicated to celebrating the hard work, determination, and impact of North Iowa entrepreneurs.

More than a celebration, the Gala is an important fundraising event that helps the NIACC Pappajohn Center continue providing education, counseling, resources, and support to entrepreneurs across our nine-county region. Through sponsorships and community support, the Gala helps sustain programs that strengthen businesses, create opportunities, and enrich lives in North Iowa.

Who we are

The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial and North Iowa Small Business Development Center (Pappajohn SBDC Center) is an integrated business assistance center helping North Iowans succeed.

Sparking Innovation – Find the resources you need, from mentors to business topic exports.
Planning for Success – Free, confidential 1:1 counseling plus training to reduce risk.
Putting the pieces together – Support from first plan through growth, expansion, and succession

Learn more about us