North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins Third Place at the 2026 Venture School Statewide Launch Day Competition

Cait Dillavou of Clear Lake, IA won Third Place at the University of Iowa’s Venture School Launch Day Competition on June 11, 2026. Ten teams from across Iowa competed in the event, which was held at EntreFest, a two-day entrepreneurial conference in Iowa City, IA. Five teams competed in the final round. A total of $45,000 in prize money was awarded to competitors.

Cait Dillavou of Stone Heritage Jewelry won the Third Place prize of $6,000. Stone Heritage Jewelry provides jewelry design and creation that is crafted with care in a private, one-on-one setting, to become cherished heirlooms. Cait draws upon her extensive professional experience as a jeweler in New York’s Diamond District to make luxury accessible. Whether creating something new or reimagining a beloved family treasure, each piece reflects timeless artistry and a legacy meant to be passed down for generations. Cait is a graduate of the NIACC Pappajohn Center cohort of Venture School, and has previously won First Place at the Fall 2025 Venture School Launch Day Competition in Mason City, IA.

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