Innovation and Commercialization

Innovation and Commercialization grows Iowa’s economy by fostering entrepreneurship and supporting the workforce, commercialization, and marketing activities of the advanced manufacturing, biosciences, and information technology industries.

The new reality for business is that companies must continually innovate, adapt and create new products, processes and services to compete beyond regional borders. This requires a comprehensive approach to economic development and necessitates a focus on developing a skilled workforce, promoting high quality job creation, and promoting entrepreneurialism.

• Demonstration Fund — The fund provides up to $150,000 to encourage commercialization activities by small and medium-sized Iowa companies in the advanced manufacturing, biosciences, and information technology industries. The fund is designed to encourage product refinements, market planning and market entry activities of unique products to foster competitive, profitable companies that create high paying jobs and wealth in Iowa. Companies make regular reports to the department on their progress.
• Iowa Student Internship Program — The Iowa Student Internship Program provides grants to small and medium sized companies in the advanced manufacturing, biosciences, and information technology industries to help support their internship programs with a goal of transitioning the interns to full-time employment in the state upon graduation.