Mark Mondoka to join Dordt University as Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Mark Mondoka will serve as Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the K&K Dooyema Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Dordt University. This center is designed to provide students and alumni with guidance on best business practices informed by a Christian perspective.

Dale Zevenbergen, director of K&K Dooyema Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, says Mondoka is exceptionally suited for this role. "With Mark’s extensive experience in technology and startups, his addition to the center will greatly enhance our impact. We’re excited to welcome Mark to our team and look forward to Mark and Megan becoming part of the Sioux Center community."

Mondoka has extensive background in product management, innovation, and startup coaching. Having led multiple design thinking and product strategy programs, including startups within the UN Capital Development Fund Fintech Accelerator, he brings valuable insights into guiding early-stage ventures. Additionally, his experience creating a range of tech products will allow him to help students navigate the challenges of starting and scaling businesses, offering mentorship on everything from product development to business model execution.

Mark Mondoka’s decision to join Dordt University as Entrepreneur-in-Residence was, in part, driven by the unique entrepreneurial approach to the role and its alignment with his experience, gifts, and talents. Additionally, Mondoka was drawn to the students involved in the center. “A strong motivation was observing the students' interest and eagerness to gain practical hands-on skills to serve and impact their communities,” he says.

“Dordt creates a unique environment where business students consider multiple bottom lines: spiritual, financial, and social, all resting on a Christian foundation,” adds Mondoka. “I hope to serve by enabling more students to apply this in their future endeavors as employees or business owners.”

Tim Klein, professor and chair of the Business department at Dordt, is confident Mondoka’s work at Dordt will make an impact on students and the broader community. “For students, seeing someone who has not only started their own businesses but also helped others launch theirs is incredibly impactful,” he says. “They’ll appreciate someone who notices challenges they might overlook, his ability to think outside the box, and his deep desire for business success. Students will recognize that Mark is truly committed to their success and dedicated to turning their business dreams into reality.”

According to Zevenbergen, during his time as entrepreneur in residence, Mark will take on a significant role in the Project Elevate initiative, which supports businesses through each stage of development—initiate, innovate, and culminate—by helping entrepreneurs launch, improve, and transition their businesses with a Kingdom-centered focus.

“We also plan to add a resource within Project Elevate, specifically for startups, called the Business Clinic, where Defender Nation entrepreneurs can participate in a non-credit-bearing program to launch their business, built on the Business Model Canvas structure,” adds Zevenbergen.

“With the addition of Mark, the K&K Dooyema Center will also have more capacity to serve the broader community,” adds Klein. “With Mark's background, the Center can help any member of Defender Nation who wants to start a business, expand their current business, or look for ways to innovate.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.