At Iowa State University Research Park (ISURP), linking with the right partner can make all the difference.
Beyond the physical amenities and university connections, the ISU Research Park offers a dedicated team that understands how to unlock value through collaboration. Whether you’re launching a startup, scaling an existing business, or seeking strategic partners, our team is skilled at making connections that matter. We work alongside each company to align them with technical experts, funding opportunities, workforce development programs, and industry-specific resources that accelerate success.
In addition to hands-on recruitment assistance offered by the ISURP team, Iowa State University operates an online, career management system called CyHire. This system enables employers in the ISURP to post positions, schedule on-campus interviews, and supply information that students may find useful when evaluating whether to apply for a particular position. Students can easily search the employment opportunities and apply to positions of interest. The benefits of recruiting talent at Iowa State include:
- Broad range of expertise across the University's nine colleges
- An array of experience levels ranging from student interns and new grads to doctoral students
- An established pipeline that allows access to career fairs, post-graduate projects and more
- On-campus interview coordination and support
There are no fees associated with using the system.
Located just minutes from ISURP, the Iowa State University BioCentury Research Farm (BCRF) offers unmatched resources for companies working in ag-tech, biofuels, and industrial biotechnology.
BCRF is the first-in-the-nation integrated research and demonstration facility where ISU researchers, students, and private industry work together on:
- Biomass production and processing
- Precision ag technologies and equipment testing
- Scale-up studies for bioproducts and feedstock supply chains
- Field trials for emerging agricultural innovations
The proximity to BCRF, along with access to 3,000 acres of contiguous test ground, allows ISURP tenants to rapidly move from concept to field implementation—accelerating R&D and commercialization timelines.
The ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab bridges agriculture and data science, providing expertise in machine learning, sensor integration, automation, and data analytics for modern farming systems. Through this lab, companies can collaborate with researchers on:
- Robotics and autonomous systems
- Geospatial data modeling
- AI-powered agronomic decision-making tools
- Software systems for precision livestock and crop management
ISURP companies working in digital agriculture or ag-tech can partner with the lab to refine algorithms, test field-ready prototypes, and co-develop next-gen agricultural solutions that respond to real producer needs.
The overarching vision for Iowa State Research is to foster human creativity, fuel innovation, and forge new frontiers that enable our communities, partners, and stakeholders to flourish. The OVPR strives to make this vision a reality by following our mission to lead the Iowa State Research enterprise and community by promoting and sustaining a safe, secure, and respectful environment that:
- Emphasizes integrity, ethical conduct of research, professionalism, and accountability;
- Values creativity, innovation, scholarly pursuits, and artistic expression;
- Fuels collaboration within and across disciplines; and
- Supports research that reflects Land-grant ideals and integrates with the education, outreach, and engagement missions of the university.
Iowa State University Chief Technology Officers (CTO) serve an important role as a liaison between industry and researchers on campus. Each CTO offers in-depth knowledge in their area of expertise, and works closely with industry partners and research teams at Iowa State to identify technologies with commercial potential.
The Iowa State University Institute for Transportation (InTrans) is a nationally recognized leader in transportation research and education. InTrans helps public agencies and private industry address key challenges related to mobility, infrastructure, and safety.
Tenants at ISURP can engage with InTrans to:
- Explore intelligent transportation systems and smart infrastructure
- Test vehicle safety technologies and traffic management tools
- Conduct data analysis for road use, materials testing, and construction innovation
- Collaborate on DOT-funded or state-level transportation initiatives
This connection is especially valuable for companies in advanced manufacturing, logistics, fleet management, or smart city technologies.
America's Cultivation Corridor champions agricultural innovation across Iowa, connecting agribusinesses, startups, researchers, and investors. The Corridor provides:
- Global visibility for Iowa’s ag-bioscience ecosystem
- Industry networking opportunities
- Collaboration and promotion of Iowa-grown technologies
- Support for companies expanding into the Midwest ag-tech market
ISURP partners with the Cultivation Corridor to highlight the groundbreaking work happening across our innovation campus.
BioConnect Iowa is the state’s catalyst for bioscience and high-tech innovation—designed to drive idea-to-impact ventures across Iowa. The organization brings together mentorship, funding, and commercialization support through key programs like the G2M Accelerator, InnoVenture Iowa (a $30 million co-investment fund), and HighTech Connect Iowa, which links startups to resources across sectors. BioConnect works statewide with entrepreneurs and researchers to streamline access to the institutional and financial tools needed to scale. Its goal is to create an integrated “flywheel” of support—connecting high-potential ventures to partners, capital, and networks that help them thrive long-term in Iowa and beyond.
Startup Support
The ISU Research Park team works hands-on with entrepreneurs to connect them with the resources, mentorship, and programs that can accelerate their growth. Through strong partnerships across Iowa State University and the broader startup ecosystem, we help innovators access the tools they need to launch and scale.
- I-Corps: A National Science Foundation-backed program that helps university-affiliated teams validate their ideas through customer discovery, guided by experienced mentors.
- ISU Startup Factory: A highly structured 52-week accelerator offering mentorship, training, and investor connections to help founders navigate commercialization and early-stage growth.
- Iowa G2M Accelerator: A state-wide initiative designed to support Iowa-based technology startups in the “go-to-market” phase through individualized guidance and strategic planning.