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Innovation in Action: Iowa State University Research Park Shows the Power of Partnerships
PUBLISHED: November 6, 2025
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) met entrepreneurs across the country who are building businesses, creating jobs, and solving real-world problems. While each story is unique, one theme is constant: small businesses thrive when they have a system of support.
One example is the Iowa State University Research Park (ISURP) in Ames, Iowa. Located on 500 acres just south of campus, the park is home to more than 135 companies and organizations, employing 2,500 people. From startups working on software and life sciences to global companies like John Deere and Merck, ISURP demonstrates how universities, private industry, and entrepreneurs can come together to drive innovation.
Building More Than Lab Space
ISURP is more than a cluster of buildings. It is an environment designed to help small businesses succeed. Startups have access to state-of-the-art labs, co-working offices, and specialized facilities that reduce the overhead costs of launching a business. Moreover, they have access to Iowa State’s students, faculty, and research infrastructure. For a young company, this proximity to talent and expertise can mean faster prototyping, better technical support, and stronger recruitment pipelines.
ISURP offers entrepreneurial support that extends through initiatives such as the Startup Factory and the Ag Startup Engine. These programs are open not just to students but to entrepreneurs from across the region who need resources to scale.
The Regulatory Lens
Small firms at ISURP often operate in highly regulated industries, including healthcare, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. Entrepreneurs consistently tell us that navigating rules from federal, state, and local agencies is one of their biggest challenges.
That is where Advocacy comes in. By meeting with these firms directly, we hear firsthand how regulations affect them in practice. Whether it involves streamlining licensing, clarifying new technology standards, or ensuring agencies account for small entity impacts, our role is to ensure the voices of small businesses are part of the rulemaking process.
This mission was strengthened under the Trump administration. President Trump made regulatory reform a priority. Executive Order 13771, “Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs,” and “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda” placed small business concerns front and center by requiring agencies to identify and cut unnecessary burdens. These actions empowered Advocacy to better represent entrepreneurs and ensured that the cumulative cost of regulation was not overlooked. Advocacy continues that work today, making sure federal agencies listen to the concerns of America’s entrepreneurs before rules are finalized.
A Model for Rural Growth
What makes ISURP especially notable is its impact on rural economies. While innovation hubs are often associated with coastal cities, Iowa State has built one in the heart of the Midwest. The park has created thousands of high-quality jobs, attracted global investment, and supported dozens of startups, all while strengthening the region’s economy.
With occupancy rates consistently near capacity and new projects such as the Alliant Energy Innovation Lab coming online, ISURP is planning for continued growth. Its model demonstrates how rural states can leverage research institutions to retain talent, build businesses, and create economic opportunities.
The Bottom Line
The Iowa State University Research Park shows what is possible when small businesses have the right support. By connecting entrepreneurs with facilities, talent, and networks, and by ensuring regulations work with them rather than against them, we can help even more small firms bring ideas to market. For Advocacy, it’s a reminder that supporting small business innovation is not just about removing barriers; it’s also about building bridges.