Melissa is an exceptional partner in regional economic development. Her ability to coordinate seamlessly with Alliant Energy ensures that Winnebago and Worth counties are always positioned for growth. She is proactive, deeply knowledgeable, and highly collaborative- bringing her into a project early is a guarantee that things will move forward efficiently and successfully.
— Chad Hansen , Alliant Energy
North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins Second Place at the 2026 EntreFEST Pitch Competition
18 Jun 2026
News
Zack Smith of Lake Mills, IA won Second Place at the 2026 EntreFEST Pitch Competition on June 12th, 2026. The EntreFEST Pitch Competition, presented by Hy-Vee, brought together community leaders, founders, investors, and supporters In Iowa City to hear from five entrepreneurs as they competed for $15,000 in prize funding. Now in its second year of partnership with Hy-Vee, the competition is designed to be an accessible platform for Midwest startups at any stage of development and offers founders visibility, feedback from experienced judges, and valuable connections within Iowa’s entrepreneurial network.
Zack Smith of The Stock Cropper won the Second Place prize of $3,500. The Stock Cropper provides solutions for integrated livestock and crops with his invention, the ClusterCluck Drive. The ClusterCluck Drive is a solar-powered electric drive unit that bolts onto your existing portable coop or pen and moves it for you — manually with a Bluetooth key fob or on a fully autonomous straight-line schedule through a web-based app. The Stock Cropper and the ClusterCluck Drive are transforming how local food systems work by giving people the practical tools they need.
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North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins Third Place at the 2026 Venture School Statewide Launch Day Competition
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