An entrepreneurial spirit is a key part of CALS’ identity, aligning with Iowa State’s broader emphasis on innovation and economic development. 

Student innovators are encouraged through programs like the Start Something College of Agriculture and Life Sciences program and competitions. Notably, CALS students have an outstanding record in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national student startup competition – CALS teams won the Entrepreneur of the Year award three times (2015, 2016, 2019), and at least five other student ventures were national semifinalists in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2023.

By working on startup projects (often as part of classes or independent study), students learn to develop business plans and pitch innovations that stem from their research or classroom ideas. The college provides mentorship and sometimes seed funding for student/postdoctoral fellow entrepreneurs, helping them bring ag technology and life science innovations to fruition. These startups often begin with Iowa State faculty or student intellectual property and grow with support from Iowa State’s Startup Factory or ISU Research Park, reflecting a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem.

CALS researchers are prolific contributors to scientific literature and are also securing patents and forming companies that drive Iowa’s economy. Iowa State’s support structure – including the ISU Research Foundation (ISURF), which manages Intellectual Property – plays a crucial role. Inventors receive assistance with patent filing, licensing negotiations and finding investors or industry collaborators. 

CALS faculty are among the most active inventors at Iowa State. In recent years, two professors affiliated with CALS were elected as Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) – Matt Darr (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering) and Max Rothschild (Professor Emeritus, Animal Science). This honor (NAI Fellow) is the highest professional distinction for academic inventors, underscoring the impact of their work. 

The pathway from discovery to marketplace is actively encouraged. Iowa State’s “Science with Practice” motto is evident in CALS, where translational research is celebrated. The college offers programs to help researchers develop prototypes, conduct field trials and connect with industry. The’ BioCentury Research Farm (a CALS facility) often serves as an incubator for scaling up lab discoveries to pilot-scale demonstrations. When technology is ready, Iowa State’s Office of Intellectual Property and Tech Transfer steps in to secure patents and seek licensing deals or startup formation. Working with industry partners is common; for instance, many CALS innovations (like new crop varieties or animal vaccines) are co-developed with companies or commodity groups, supporting a smooth transition to widespread use. 

CALS’ impact on innovation can also be measured by the number of startups and commercial products emerging from its research. In recent years, CALS research has led to new companies in areas such as biorenewable fuels, precision agriculture software, wastewater technologies and more. 

CALS has a culture to promote and support innovation and discoveries ensuring research translates into tangible benefits. The college’s strategies – from securing patents to mentoring student entrepreneurs – have resulted in a pipeline of innovations in agriculture and life sciences. CALS researchers generate knowledge and drives that knowledge into practices, products and policies that improve Iowa and the world. Whether it’s a new crop variety, a successful ag-tech startup, discoveries about genetics and health, or more effective social programs, CALS research is making a real-world difference and exemplifying the innovative spirit of Iowa State University.