Iowa State University’s Land-Grant mission to educate, innovate, and improve quality of life across Iowa and the world propels us to create a campus that is a hub of creative and entrepreneurial activity. By embedding innovation and entrepreneurship deeply into our culture and curriculum, and connecting the dots among our entrepreneurial ecosystem partners, Iowa State is cultivating the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs while responding to the needs of our community.
Iowa State enlists a truly cross-disciplinary approach, with all of its seven colleges (144 majors) participating in a comprehensive “Start Something” ecosystem. The university’s integrated entrepreneurship curriculum is available to ISU’s 32,000 students, including an undergraduate Entrepreneurship Major, cross-disciplinary Entrepreneurship Minor, Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Master of Entrepreneurship, and a PhD in entrepreneurship. Course learning is enhanced through broad experiential learning opportunities, a strong technology commercialization program, startup accelerators for students and faculty; and business assistance for campus, community, and alumni entrepreneurs.
Key programs include the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, Student Innovation Center, and a broad-reaching economic development operation with resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners, connections to industry, and support for tech-focused startups led by faculty.
The ISU Research Park has grown to over 550 acres and is home to 140 companies and organizations, 21 buildings, 2500 employees, 400 students, and accessible amenities including a day care, fitness center, medical clinics, retail, restaurants, and new residential housing unit opening in 2026. The construction pipeline is $300 million, which has resulted in a thriving community of innovators and entrepreneurs with strong connections to Iowa State and businesses globally.
Outside the university, we partner with a number of entrepreneurial support organizations, investors, and state business resources to provide tools, research, funding, and best practices to give startups the best possible chance to succeed and grow.
