About
The Iowa State University Startup Factory is a unique, 18-week program located at Iowa State University Research Park that takes a startup from the lab to grant/investor ready. The live interactive class sessions are held over Zoom two days per week with a total time commitment of four hours per week. Our program was designed to provide an avenue for faculty, students, staff, ISU alumni, and inventors across the state to develop businesses that support founders\' innovations. Our focus is helping founders with scalable businesses to move from "tech speak" to "business speak". The goal is to create knowledgeable business owners armed with an investible commercialization plan, a roadmap of milestones, and a pitch deck to use for grant applications and fundraise opportunities. The ISU Startup Factory is the first program in the ISU entrepreneurial assistance continuum.
Since its launch, ISU Startup Factory has supported more than 125 companies. Collectively, our current and graduate companies have raised upwards of $65 million. Entrepreneurs are selected to participate in the Startup Factory via twice annually, and receive formal business training, resources, 1:1 mentoring, as well as, access to a network of business mentors, advisors, counselors and investors. The core strength of the ISU Startup Factory is its commitment to mentorship and network of experienced business professionals who support entrepreneurship.
The interactive sessions are broken into specific blocks centered on business validation and product market fit, specific skills and resources required to start a business and finally, resources to attract or fund a successful company. Participants are not required to have a registered business.
Services Provided
Business Planning
- Business Plan Consulting, Development and Review (Specialty)
- Business Plan Training (Specialty)
Management Issues and Training
- Leadership/Professional Development
- Mentoring (Specialty)
Legal Services
- Entity Formation Assistance
- Patent Information, Trademark & Copyright Information
Libraries and Research Organizations
- Business Research Resources
Office, Laboratory and Meeting Space
- Computer Equipment
- Conference/Meeting and Event Space (Specialty)
- Incubator Space (Specialty)
- Office Equipment and Furniture
- Office Space
- Accelerator (Specialty)
Training
Product Development
Manufacturing, High Tech, Life Sciences Development
- High Tech Development
- Life Sciences Development
- Manufacturing Development
Mentoring
- Mentoring Program (Specialty)