AMES, Iowa — Four Iowa State University College of Design students — graphic design junior Ella Janssen and sophomore Kailey Stevens, industrial design junior Boluwarin Ojo and non-degree-seeking student Sam Morrow — are among 16 participants selected for Cohort 10 of the CYstarters summer accelerator program. 

Hosted by the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, the program allows students from all majors to focus on their startup or business idea, refining their goals, growing their businesses and gaining invaluable experience as they bring their entrepreneurial visions to life.

During the 11-week program, Ojo, from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, will continue to develop “No-Sparc,” a welding cap designed to protect long, thick hair from sparks, heat and burns while welding. Janssen, from West Des Moines, and Stevens, from New Richmond, Wisconsin, will explore marketing strategies for their individual branding and design studios “Greenhouse” and “Bolded K Design.” 

Morrow, from Waukee, who received a BFA in integrated studio arts from Iowa State in 2024 and has continued to take ceramics courses at the College of Design, will further develop her startup, “Clay-mations Studio.” The studio offers ceramic lessons that promote mindfulness and relaxation, Morrow said.

College-by-College Pitch Off Finale

Students receiving awards at the College-by-College Pitch Off Finale in March.

For Ojo and Janssen, CYstarters is an opportunity to build on their success in the Pappajohn Center’s 2025 College-by-College Pitch Off Finale. The campus-wide competition invites students from all colleges and majors to pitch their new or existing business ideas for the chance to win cash prizes. In the existing business category, Ojo won first place and $5,000 for “No-Sparc” and Janssen received a $500 honorable mention for “Greenhouse.”

Following her success in the Iowa State competition, Ojo went on to win second place and $10,000 for the same business idea at the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management Regnier Venture Creation Challenge and Summit in Kansas City. 

“Winning first prize [in the pitch off finale] was extremely validating for me,” said Ojo. “And the Regnier Creation Challenge and Summit reassured me that I am heading in the right direction. It has been such an incredible journey taking what was once a studio project and having it become bigger than I had ever imagined. I’m excited to see how my product evolves over the summer.” 

“This award gave me reassurance as both a designer and business owner,” Janssen said. “I’m realizing I’m capable of creating the future I want for myself. Instead of looking for the perfect job, I can just create it myself.”

Ojo and Janssen discussed what fueled their creative ventures and how they plan to grow their businesses using resources available on campus in Episode 7 of the College of Design Podcast, available on YouTube.

Contacts 

Boluwarin Ojo, Junior, Industrial Design, bolu03@iastate.edu
Ella Janssen, Junior, Graphic Design, janssene@iastate.edu
Lauren Johnson, Communications Specialist, College of Design, laujohn2@iastate.edu 

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