MASON CITY — A Northern Iowa entrepreneur is earning statewide recognition for turning fine jewelry, personal service and family legacy into an award-winning business model.
Cait Dillavou of Clear Lake (pictured at top, via NIACC) won third place at the University of Iowa’s 2026 Venture School Launch Day Competition on June 11, taking home a $6,000 prize for her business, Stone Heritage Jewelry.
The statewide pitch competition was held during EntreFest, a two-day entrepreneurial conference in Iowa City. Ten teams from across Iowa competed, with five advancing to the final round. In all, $45,000 in prize money was awarded.
Dillavou’s business, Stone Heritage Jewelry, focuses on custom jewelry design and creation in a private, one-on-one setting. The business helps customers create new pieces or reimagine family treasures into heirlooms meant to be passed down for generations.
Dillavou brings extensive professional experience from New York’s Diamond District, using that background to make luxury jewelry more personal and accessible for customers in Iowa.
Her statewide success follows earlier recognition in North Iowa. Dillavou is a graduate of the NIACC Pappajohn Center cohort of Venture School and previously won first place at the Fall 2025 Venture School Launch Day Competition in Mason City.
Candi Karsjens, executive director of innovation and entrepreneurship at the NIACC Pappajohn Center, praised Dillavou’s ability to blend artistry with entrepreneurship.
“Cait has successfully combined world-class craftsmanship with an innovative business model that can be replicated across Iowa,” Karsjens said. “Her ability to transform a personalized luxury experience into a scalable venture demonstrates both entrepreneurial vision and execution.”
The University of Iowa’s Venture School Launch Day Competition is open to entrepreneurs who have graduated from a Venture School cohort within the past year. The program draws business founders from across Iowa and is designed to help entrepreneurs test ideas, refine business models and prepare for growth.
The statewide Venture School program is offered in seven locations and uses a curriculum based on work developed through the National Science Foundation I-Corps program at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center serves as North Iowa’s hub for new business starts, innovation and rural business development.
SMART W0RK I was kind of worried about the entire thing. I’ve never worked from home, But Yeah, (D19) I did just join and all is good. so I will post back how
it goes!_____ https://m0b2pr0w0rld76.blogspot.com/