At Iowa State University Research Park (ISURP), innovation doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in partnership.
In addition to providing access to cutting-edge technology and research infrastructure, our deep collaboration with Iowa State University opens doors to an expansive range of opportunities for companies of all sizes. From business acceleration and ag-tech field trials to transportation innovation and digital transformation, our tenants benefit from direct connections to the university’s world-class programs and entrepreneurial ecosystem. In addition, our comprehensive career services support ensures you can secure the highly-skilled workforce your business demands.
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.
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.
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 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.
Fueling Innovation Through Collaboration
From entrepreneurship and ag-tech to materials science and mobility, ISU Research Park companies are able to move faster and further thanks to the strength of our partnership with Iowa State University. These collaborative opportunities don’t just support innovation—they amplify it.
Whether you’re launching a startup, scaling a research team, or piloting a new technology, ISURP puts the right people, programs, and platforms within reach.