Founding Principles

• Build upon the strengths of Iowa State University by focusing on entrepreneurial issues most germane to Business, Engineering, Agriculture, and Veterinary Medicine.
   
• Complement, coordinate, and collaborate with the other Pappajohn Centers and other organizations involved with entrepreneurship.
   
• Involve the outreach, teaching, and research missions of the University.
   
• Operate the center in an entrepreneurial manner.

Goals

The mission of the Center is to enhance the entrepreneurial capacity at ISU and throughout the State of Iowa. Three major benefits are expected from the Center.

• Creation of wealth through the formation of new companies and the expansion of existing ones. Business and technical assistance and other services are provided to faculty, students, and others in the State with an idea or technology-based product with commercial potential. Metrics to measure this benefit include the number of new companies created and their growth, and the performance of existing firms being served by the Center.
   
• Enhancement of the number and preparation of entrepreneurs. The Center develops educational programs and outreach services for students, citizens of Iowa, and faculty. The focus is on those interested and/or involved in technology and technology-based firms. Metrics to evaluate the progress with respect to this expected benefit include the number of ISU students (or recent graduates), ISU faculty, and others participating in the Center's programs, and measures to indicate their performance as entrepreneurs and placement with entrepreneurial companies.
   
• Increased utilization of the technology developed at Iowa State University. This benefit is achieved by providing training, mentoring, and support to ISU faculty and students who conduct technology-oriented research and others interested in commercializing ISU-created technology. Metrics to access this benefit include the number of patent disclosures, the number of patents, and most importantly, the number of patent applications turning into commercially viable products or services.