Date: 4/1/2026

Title: Bayer Opens Innovation Center at Iowa State University Research Park to expand digital ag collaboration, workforce development

AMES, Iowa  - Iowa State University Research Park and the Crop Science division of Bayer today announced the opening of the Seed Production Innovation (SPI) Innovation Center, located at the Iowa State University Research Park campus. The facility and collaboration will enable continued innovation that maximizes Bayer-branded seed quality and supports farmers by further improving Bayer’s seed production operations.

The investment strengthens Bayer’s relationship with Iowa State University by placing teams alongside faculty, students and industry collaborators. This can also accelerate applied innovation and expand opportunities for student hiring, workforce pipelining and farmer education.

“This collaboration reflects the kind of partnership that drives innovation and economic impact,” said Iowa State President David Cook. “By bringing Bayer’s SPI Innovation Center into the Iowa State University Research Park, we are creating a space where industry expertise, university research and student talent come together to solve real-world challenges in agriculture.”

The innovation space will host producer education, innovation workshops, and foster collaboration with partners across the region, with a focus on delivering practical, value-add scientific and engineering solutions aligned with Bayer’s Seed Production Innovation readiness and innovation priorities.

“Bayer’s investment underscores the Research Park’s mission to connect leading companies with Iowa State’s research strengths and talent pipeline,” said Rick Sanders, president of the Iowa State University Research Park. “Bayer’s presence enhances our innovation ecosystem and creates meaningful opportunities for collaboration with faculty, startups and students, particularly in digital and data-enabled agriculture.”

The center’s proximity to Iowa State’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab is expected to accelerate collaboration in precision agriculture, automation and data analytics, while providing hands-on learning experiences for students preparing for careers in ag technology.

“The SPI Innovation Center represents a significant step forward in how we connect innovation with producer impact,” said Amanuel Ghebretinsae, Head of Global Innovations, Seed Production at Bayer. “Its location allows us to work side by side with Iowa State’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab and Iowa State students, accelerating the development and deployment of practical solutions that strengthen our seed production operations and support our farmer partners, all while contributing to the next generation of ag-technology talent.”

About Iowa State University Research Park
The Iowa State University Research Park (ISURP) is an award-winning, live-work-play innovation campus designed to accelerate discovery, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration. Located adjacent to Iowa State University, ISURP provides founders, entrepreneurs, and established companies with direct access to cutting-edge research, a robust talent pipeline, specialized testing capabilities, and shared equipment—strengthening connections between industry and the university.

Home to more than 145 companies, 2,500 employees, and 300 students, ISURP fosters a dynamic ecosystem where ideas move from concept to impact, driving economic growth and innovation in Iowa and beyond.

INQUIRIES CONTACT: Rick Sanders, ISU Research Park: 515-708-0158