Entrepalooza in Sioux City

The City of Sioux City will join more than a dozen organizations to sponsor Entrepalooza, a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit in Siouxland, beginning Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, through Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014.

The four-day event will kick off with keynote speaker Tal Dehtiar, founder of Oliberté Footwear, 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24, in the Saint Francis Center on the campus of Briar Cliff University. Named an International Youth Foundation's Young Social Entrepreneur and Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business, Dehtiar will present his journey in building a brand on the commitment to trade, not aid. Dehtiar also will discuss the worldwide growth model for his company, which is projected to create one million jobs in Africa by 2025. At the event, there will be a free drawing for a $150 gift certificate for Oliberté Footwear. Drawing entrants must be present to win. Sponsored by Siouxland Economic Development Corporation, this free public event will be hosted by the Eldon and Regina Roth Center for Entrepreneurship and BCU’s Enactus student group.

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m., Briar Cliff’s Roth Center for Entrepreneurship and Enactus will host the annual “Swimming with the Sharks” competition. Vying for mini-grants valued up to $6,400, contestants will pitch their business ideas to a panel of local business experts.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Vangarde Arts, 420 Jackson Street, Team Creative Fire and Start Up Sioux City will host "Biz Brew," a social and business networking event. At the same time and location, Morningside College will sponsor Hang with Treps, an entrepreneurial mentoring program.

On Thursday, Feb.27, 5 p.m., Commerce Building, 520 Nebraska Street, Innovation Market will provide a venue for entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas for businesses, community events and non-profits. Innovation Market is sponsored by Sioux City Growth Organization and the City of Sioux City.

This year, Entrepalooza expanded with “Jump Start,” a new program for elementary students in Sioux City Community Schools and South Sioux City Community Schools to learn entrepreneurship principles. Facilitated by Briar Cliff University and Northeast Community College Enactus teams, “Jump Start” represents a partnership among Briar Cliff University, Northeast Community College, Beyond the Bell, Sioux City Community Schools and South Sioux City Community Schools.

Name: Renae Billings
Title: Economic Development Specialist
Phone: 712-279-6159