Economic Development and Technology Transfer

Iowa’s public universities collaborate with business and industry and with each other to foster success for all economic development and entrepreneurship efforts in Iowa. At its November meeting, the Board of Regents will receive the annual economic development and technology transfer report outlining the scope of this collaboration and the positive impact the Regents institutions have on Iowa businesses. 

For FY 2024, the Iowa General Assembly appropriated nearly $13.5 million to the Regents enterprise for economic development, technology transfer and commercialization of research. These funds directly impact university programs, notably in the ISU and UI biosciences innovation program, the UNI Metal Casting Center and the Regents Innovation Fund, which is used to grow business and commercialize university research. 

In addition, Iowa’s public universities have a positive impact on Iowa industry in numerous ways, including through direct assistance to startup companies and intellectual property discovery through research. For example, in 2024 the universities collectively provided $1.39 billion in total sponsored funding to the state of Iowa, including $632 million from competitive federal grants and awards.

Further, the Regent universities aid Iowa businesses and start-up companies across the state. In 2024, 3,956 employees and 272 companies were located in university research parks and incubators, 215 license and option agreements on institutional intellectual property were executed and 150 patents were awarded. 

The Regents institutions significantly impact Iowa on a daily basis and demonstrate the value of research and business assistance directly to Iowa’s people, industry and communities. Our campuses are economic engines that provide support, development and breakthrough research that benefits communities in all 99 counties and beyond.