Iowa Women Entrepreneurs Wanted

Are you a female entrepreneur seeking to scale your business?  Would you be interested in competing for awards totaling $40,000 and gaining pitch experience and valuable investor feedback?  If you answered yes to either of these questions, you could join a select group of Iowa women entrepreneurs who will take...

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Seinfeld on Startups – Serenity Now!

By Dan Beenken, Advance Iowa, UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation Family business issues.  Employee compensation programs.  Bankruptcy.  Background checks – or lack thereof.  Lloyd Braun. The 3rd episode of Season 9 had it all.  It was like a Perfect Storm of business metaphors all crammed into a sweet little package...

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New Business Contest Launched for Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups

Having the right connections and resources, as well as financial backing, is crucial when bringing a business idea to life. Unfortunately, this keeps many ideas from success. That’s the reason the Center for Business Growth and Innovation (CBGI) at the University of Northern Iowa is hosting its first annual statewide...

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Voice of the Customer – The Junior Mint

Dan Beeken, UNI Center for Business Growth and Innovation   The 60th episode of Seinfeld was instant Gold –  ""Gold Jerry, Gold!” to channel my inner Kenny Bania.  “The Junior Mint” ran during season 4 and put an Emmy in the hands of Michael Richards. Elaine’s latest boyfriend, Roy, is a chubby “starving artist.”...

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The Biggest Misconception about Company Culture

By: Lea Hensel, UNI Business and Community Services When you think of company culture, what comes to mind? Big employers like Google, Facebook or Zappos? Companies that have ping-pong tables in the rec room, outdoor basketball courts or a coffee barista on-hand to keep employees caffeinated continuously throughout the day. Or...

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How Small Retailers Can Compete with Big Box Stores

By Lea Hensel, UNI Business and Community Services Holiday season is here. There is no denying the holiday music in the store or the twinkling, sparkling decorations beginning to take over. And in just a few short weeks, Black Friday will be upon us. But, following Black Friday and gaining steam...

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Venture School Application is Closing Soon!

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? Join the ranks of over 200 startups that have participated in Venture School, the state of Iowa’s premiere entrepreneurial training program. Learn the Lean Startup process and follow the official National Science Foundation Innovation Corps model. Increase your likelihood for success and reduce the risk of starting your...

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