MiDi LLC, a business founded by Barb and Steve O’Rourke that develops products to help premature infants safely build feeding skills, won first place and $20,000 at the University of Iowa’s Venture School Launch Day on June 11 in Iowa City. The event was held in conjunction with the annual ENTREFest conference. A total of $45,000 in prize money was awarded to 10 teams. Second place ($12,000) went to Popper Pets, a dog-training gear company founded by Jamie Popper. Stone Heritage Jewelry, founded by Cait Dillavou, earned third place ($6,000). Venture School is a statewide training program focuses on real-world experimentation, customer discovery, and Lean LaunchPad methodologies.
