About 100 people gathered to watch as members of the 10th class of CYstarters pitched their business ideas in the hopes of earning hard cash.
This year’s group, which calls itself Cohort X, was fired up for the annual celebration, held on July 31 at the Economic Development Core Facility in Ames, Iowa, part of Iowa State University’s Research Park. As members took their turn to present to the crowd, fellow CYstarters cheered them on.
CYstarters is an 11-week program designed to help and support students to bring their entrepreneurial ideas to life through funding, mentorship, and innovation. Organized by the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, which is part of the Ivy College of Business, this rigorous program allows students and recent graduates to serve as paid interns for their own business ventures and ideas.
Since its launch in 2016, CYstarters has supported 151 students and alumni in starting up 121 companies — over 80 percent of which are still active or making an impact in the startup ecosystem. The 10th cohort included a dynamic group of 16 students, four of which are Ivy College of Business students.
Each participant brought a unique perspective, ambitious goals, and a shared commitment to launching and growing their own ventures.
“CYstarters has really helped me learn what it takes to elevate a company and how to better manage it,” said Ryan Ryherd, a junior from Ankeny, Iowa, who is studying marketing. He is the founder of DAF Landscaping.
“CYstarters helped me learn what it takes to elevate a company and how to better manage it,” Ryherd said. “I learned learn there’s so much more to starting a company than just finding clients and selling to them. The most meaningful aspects of the summer were all of the connections we were able to make from the other students in the cohort — talking with them, meeting successful former CYstarters, hearing their stories and learning about how they succeeded – and how they failed. The opportunity to be surrounded by, and introduced to, so many risk takers is something that is not found at most universities and is something I greatly appreciate.”
Similar to an internship, CYstarters put their business and entrepreneurial skills to use outside the classroom. The program offers participants a unique opportunity to dive deeper into entrepreneurship, providing hands-on experience that is much like a traditional internship.
“The opportunity to be surrounded by, and introduced to, so many risk takers is something that is not found at most universities and is something I greatly appreciate.”
— Ryan Ryherd (marketing major)
Madison Green, a junior from Sioux City, Iowa, studying supply chain management and entrepreneurship, is the founder of Perfect Motion. She started it to help young girls learn the mechanics of softball pitching.
“CYstarters has given me the time and education I needed to turn this side hustle into a business,” Green said. “I’ve been able to finish my pitching coaching certification, secure an LLC, and start outreach to new clients. This summer I have also launched a new logo, website, and social media pages. I learned so much through the program and have been able to make tons of progress that will allow me to scale and work better with clients this fall while still taking classes. The most meaningful part of this program has been the supportive community I’ve gained. Working with like-minded peers and mentors both at the Pappajohn Center and beyond has helped me grow and learn how to find the right people to support my journey.”
Nic Mackaman, a senior from Ankeny, Iowa, studying entrepreneurship, is the founder of NJM Dampeners.
“CYstarters gave me the structure I needed to turn NJM Tennis from an idea into a real business,” Mackaman said. “The support from everyone in the CYstarters program helped me navigate challenges I hadn’t faced before, like manufacturing and launching an online store.”
Megan Graettinger, the program director, was really helpful, Mackaman said. “She shared insights from her own entrepreneurship experience. Being surrounded by other student entrepreneurs made the process feel less overwhelming and more fun. Everyone was always willing to help each other out, whether it was giving feedback or sharing ideas.”
Madelyn Lindholm (‘24 entrepreneurship), from Woodbury, Minnesota, is the founder of Port Patch — a pain-relieving, protective patch designed specifically for port-based treatments like chemotherapy, dialysis, and long-term IV care.
“I started this business because the idea originally came from my mom during her cancer treatments in 2019. Seeing firsthand the comfort that even our earliest prototype brought her made me realize how needed this product truly is. CYstarters helped me gain clarity on where I was in my entrepreneurial journey and what needed to happen next. It gave me the structure to move forward, the tools to grow more strategically, and the confidence to keep pushing. Being surrounded by people who genuinely want to see you grow created a sense of belonging that made this experience unforgettable.”
CYstarters unites students across all of the undergraduate colleges at Iowa State University, incorporating unique and diverse perspectives and skills to drive innovation to push each startup forward.
