Posted 23 April, 2026
Three UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) students won funding for their businesses at the 2026 John Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition on April 10. The competition was held at the University of Iowa Pappajohn Education and Events Center in Des Moines, and the final presentation round consisted of 19 students from 7 institutions presenting 15 business ideas to a panel of judges.
Kadin Walter [’28, Economics] was one of three winners of this year’s competition, receiving $5,000 for his venture Work N Walter Farms. The direct-to-consumer meat snack brand founded by Walter is disrupting a commodity-driven industry through radical transparency and premium farm sourcing. They partner directly with American family farms to produce high-quality pork snack sticks and jerky, selling nationwide through e-commerce. Work N Walter is building the brand that modern consumers trust when they want to know exactly where their food comes from.
“I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to share my story and the mission behind Work N Walter Farms,” said Walter. “This $5,000 win isn’t just recognition…it’s fuel to keep the growth machine rolling. Every dollar will be reinvested into expanding our retail opportunities and continuing to tell the story of Iowa farmers to every consumer we can reach.”
Other UNI JPEC finalists, each receiving $500, included Lily Bell [’27, Interior Design], founder of Bell Heritage Design Consulting, and Alayna Akers [’28, Artificial Intelligence and Marketing], founder of Takeover Sales.
“The Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition is more than an event. It’s an opportunity to bring together all five centers, celebrate the incredible entrepreneurs in our programs, and reflect on who we are as one community while honoring the lasting legacy and impact of John Pappajohn,” shared Bart Schmitz, program manager at the UNI JPEC.
The competition is a collaborative effort among the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers located at Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa.