May 28, 2026
By: Red Rock Startup 2.0 Students
Red Rock Startup 2.0 Relaunch Sparks Innovation at Central College
The relaunch of the Red Rock Startup 2.0 Pitch Competition at Central College on April 28th brought renewed energy and entrepreneurial momentum to Marion County. The event welcomed approximately 60 attendees, including students, faculty, business leaders, and community members, all gathered to support the next generation of innovators.
Innovation in Marion County
The competition featured seven student-led business pitches, each presenting creative and impactful ideas across a range of industries. Participants shared their concepts in front of a panel of judges, including Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer; Jennica Johnson (Regional Director for the Mid-Iowa Small Business Development Center); Dwaine Knouse (Vice President of Leighton State Bank); and Diana Wright (Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Greater Des Moines Partnership), who offered valuable feedback and industry insight.
Honors were awarded to Re-Corked for their pitch on recycling wasted cork material into wallets, bag tags and other customizable products, which won both the Launch Ready Category and Best Overall Pitch, earning a total of $3,000 in grants. A clothing printing company, NXT Job, won the Concept+ category, earning $1,500 in grants. Additional microgrants were awarded to Marion Moments and Red Rock Ink and Thread, earning $1,000 in grants each. The variety of projects highlighted the talent and creativity among Central College students.
The successful relaunch was made possible through a partnership between Marion County Developments Director Dan Nieland and students in Central College’s Stavros Papakonstantinidis public relations class, including Annaliese Miller, Cathryn Brown, Davis Hovey, Sam McClintock and Alec Harris. Throughout the semester, students led efforts in planning, promotion and event execution — working to rebuild awareness of the competition while reintroducing the program to Marion County. Their efforts culminated in a professional, engaging event that exceeded expectations, increased participation and drew a strong community turnout.
One of the most impactful aspects of the evening was the opportunity for students to confidently share their ideas in a supportive environment. Many participants walked away with new professional connections, insightful feedback and financial grants, further strengthening their entrepreneurial pursuits.
Plans for the Future
Looking ahead, organizers plan to grow the Red Rock Startup 2.0 Pitch Competition by expanding participation, deepening community engagement, attracting additional sponsors and further positioning Marion County as a hub for innovation.
The success of this year’s event marks a strong new chapter for Red Rock Startup 2.0 — one built on collaboration, creativity and a shared commitment to supporting future business leaders.
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