Repaint Studios, a Mason City-based startup focused on reducing the environmental impact of home improvement with reusable, recyclable and eco-friendly painting supplies, won first place and $40,000 at the 19th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. The final round of the competition was held on Aug. 22 in Ames, where 10 teams presented pitches to a panel of judges.
Repaint Studios founder Billie Asmus, pictured at right, shares about her experience with the Pappajohn Venture Competition:
“This was my third year entering the Pappajohn Venture Competition, so I had a good idea of how to prepare and revise my application. Still, it is a rigorous process that spans several months, involving filling out numerous application questions, ensuring your projections are accurate, and demonstrating on paper why you deserve to be in that room pitching to the judges. It can be intimidating, but it also provides valuable experience and skills for pitching to future investors or potential retail partners … three years ago, I promised myself that I would keep entering this competition until I won. The first year, I didn’t make it past the first round. In the second year, I received an Honorable Mention. And this year, I brought home first place.”
The following startups also received awards:
- Second place ($25,000): Rise Energy, Ryan Smith, Jordan Funkhouser and Tannon Daugaard.
- Third place ($15,000): Hudu, Derreck Stratton.
- Honorable mention ($10,000): NeuroPred Inc., Michal Brzus.
- Honorable mention ($5,000): Upcycling+, Xun Wu and Akalanka Tennakoon.
- Honorable mention ($5,000): UpVote Inc., Zack Krawiec and Kasey Clary.
