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 Third Place at the 2026 Venture School Statewide Launch Day Competition
18 Jun 2026
News
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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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...
Area businesses and organizations are encouraged to register their interns for the NCIA Regional Intern Networking Event; a free, high-impact experience focused on leadership development, networking, and community engagement.This year’s featured speaker, Molly Mackey; author, leadership trainer, and Clear Lake High School graduate will share valuable insights to help interns...
New entrepreneurial incubator program helps North Iowa business owners build and grow a sustainable business ventureThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center recently launched Venture Launch Lab (VLL), a new entrepreneurial incubator program designed to help aspiring and early-stage business owners build the knowledge, systems, and confidence needed to successfully launch...