From idea to impact, ISU Research Park is designed to support businesses at every stage of the innovation journey.
Whether you’re an early-stage startup or an established company developing your next breakthrough, navigating commercialization, intellectual property, and business development can be complex. That’s why ISURP offers more than just proximity to Iowa State University—we connect companies to a powerful network of guidance, mentorship, and commercialization support.
Our ecosystem brings together experienced professionals, technical resources, and growth-minded organizations, helping tenants access the tools they need to scale efficiently and strategically.
ISU EDIR serves as a single point of contact for industry engagement, research partnerships, and business support across the university. EDIR provides:
- Access to university facilities, labs, and researchers
- Connections to talent, training, and professional education
- Guidance on funding and incentive programs
- Oversight of technology commercialization pathways
ISURP works in close partnership with EDIR to help companies navigate the full range of resources Iowa State has to offer.
A longtime partner of Iowa businesses, CIRAS helps companies identify practical solutions to complex operational challenges. Through engineering support, research collaboration, and strategic consulting, CIRAS provides:
- Product development and prototyping assistance
- Process improvement and lean manufacturing services
- Market research, supply chain, and workforce guidance
- Help with navigating regulatory compliance and quality systems
Tenants at ISURP benefit from immediate access to CIRAS’s applied expertise and industry-tested methodologies.
The ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship serves as the front door for business-minded innovators. Whether you're a startup founder or an intrapreneur within a larger company, the center offers:
- Mentorship from experienced business leaders and entrepreneurs
- Business model development support and pitch coaching
- Access to funding opportunities and startup competitions
- Hands-on programs like CyStarters, where students turn ideas into real ventures
ISURP companies can tap into this entrepreneurial energy to build, test, and launch scalable business models—and to connect with emerging talent who bring fresh thinking to real-world challenges.
The ISU Startup Factory, managed by ISU’s Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR), provides a 52-week, two-phase program that helps faculty, staff, and community innovators launch scalable technology-based companies. Participants benefit from:
- Structured entrepreneurial training
- Mentorship from seasoned executives
- Investor connections and pitch preparation
- Access to business development resources
Startups emerging from the program often locate their operations within ISURP, where they can continue to grow with support and proximity to university assets.
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) located in Ames offers no-cost, confidential business consulting to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Services include:
- Business plan development
- Financial forecasting and investor readiness
- Marketing and branding guidance
- Licensing and regulatory assistance
For companies housed at ISURP, SBDC is a first-stop resource for building strong business foundations.
Managing and protecting intellectual property is critical for any research-driven organization. The ISU Research Foundation (ISURF) and Office of Innovation Commercialization work together to help businesses:
- Navigate IP licensing and patent filings
- Manage technology disclosures
- Explore joint R&D agreements with university researchers
- Secure rights to university-developed innovations
These services make it easier for ISURP tenants to bring new technologies to market quickly—and with confidence.
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance serves as a dedicated resource for growing businesses in Ames and Story County. Their services include:
- Local and state incentive navigation
- Site selection and relocation assistance
- Workforce recruitment and housing support
- Business retention and expansion resources
By aligning economic development with innovation, the Alliance plays a vital role in creating a business-friendly environment at ISURP.
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.