The vision driving an entrepreneurial ecosystem
March 24, 2026
AMES, Iowa – A red neon signs that reads “Start Something Here” hangs on a wall of Iowa State University’s Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship.
The message is inspirational but also quite literal as it is an ideal location for anyone who wants to start something. The Pappajohn Center is the foundation of the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem that over the past 30 years has grown into a nationally recognized model.
“It’s amazing how people look at Iowa State as a model,” said Judi Eyles, director of the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. “Other universities ask how we do it, and I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve done this because of the people. It’s the entrepreneurial spirit.”
Eyles embodies that spirit and has been instrumental in the evolution and success of Iowa State’s entrepreneurial programs. But she says all the growth and achievements would not be possible without the vision and ongoing support of university leaders and collaboration with partners across campus and the state.
“The decision back in 1996 to make entrepreneurship a cross-campus initiative was intentional and important. It really set the stage for the next 30 years,” Eyles said.
Continuing to build upon the strength and success of the university’s ecosystem is a priority for Iowa State President David Cook. He sees opportunities to extend partnerships across campus and the state to provide momentum for the next 30 years.
“The strength of Iowa State’s ecosystem is our people, who foster a culture of collaboration and partnership across campus and with business and industry,” Cook said. “As a trusted partner, we’ll continue making those connections and providing opportunities for students that prepare them to go out and make a difference in the world.”
A sketch becomes reality
Innovation and entrepreneurship are engrained in Iowa State’s history, but a $1 million gift from the late John Pappajohn in 1996 spurred a group of campus leaders to consider a more formal structure for entrepreneurship across the university. At the time, Pappajohn – an entrepreneur and philanthropist – provided funding to establish entrepreneurial centers at five Iowa universities and colleges with the goal of supporting Iowa-based startups.
Eyles recalls meetings in Benajmin Allen’s office sketching out plans that are now reality. Allen, then dean of the Ivy College of Business, led the effort along with deans from the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering and Veterinary Medicine, and invited Iowa business leaders to serve on a board of directors. To be effective and sustainable, Allen knew an entrepreneurial center had to extend beyond one college.
“You need different perspectives of the world, of what research means and what knowledge is. That intersection of disciplines creates excitement about how to solve a problem. It is organic in a sense. By having people with different viewpoints come together, it’ll lead to better solutions,” Allen said.
The mission of Iowa State’s Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is three-pronged: to offer academic programs for students in all majors, expand experiential learning opportunities and provide support to those wanting to launch a startup or commercialize Iowa State research. Shortly after the center was established, Iowa State launched a cross-campus minor in entrepreneurship, an entrepreneurial internship program, speaker series and scholarships.
It’s amazing how people look at Iowa State as a model. Other universities ask how we do it, and I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve done this because of the people. It’s the entrepreneurial spirit.
Judi Eyles, director of the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship
Benefits of an entrepreneurial mindset
For the first time in school history, Iowa State cracked the top 10 – ranked No. 9 – of Princeton Review’s 2026 top undergraduate entrepreneurship programs. The ranking, which considers academic offerings, experiential learning opportunities and career outcomes, along with other national and international awards (see below) that Iowa State has received are a testament to the foundation created in 1996 and the ongoing commitment to make it grow.
Today, the Pappajohn Center is located in the ISU Research Park to support startups and foster collaboration with the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Iowa and the Office of Innovation Commercialization. Students can connect with Pappajohn staff at the Student Innovation Center, which opened in 2020 with makerspaces, a virtual reality lab, digital media shop, classrooms and collaborative spaces.
Entrepreneurs on campus and across the state have access to accelerator and incubator programs, the universitywide Start Something network, a full range of academic courses, pitch competitions and support to commercialize research or spinoff new technologies. It’s a menu of programs and resources with a variety of entry points that allow entrepreneurs to chart their own journey.
During his time as the Raisbeck Endowed Dean in the Ivy College of Business, David Spalding supported the creation of an undergraduate major, master’s degree and Ph.D. program in entrepreneurship. He also helped launch CyBIZ Lab, a program that connects businesses with interdisciplinary student teams to solve problems with data-driven solutions.
The experience gained in the classroom and through a program like CyBIZ Lab illustrate how students can apply an entrepreneurial mindset in a corporate setting. Other programs, such as CYstarters, helps students develop skills to launch their own business.
“Our students develop critical-thinking skills,” said Spalding, who serves as vice president for Economic Development and Industry Relations at Iowa State. “To go through the process of translating an idea into a product or business, you have to think critically about each step, you can’t just be a dreamer. Students build a jack-of-all-trades skill base, and employers are very interested in hiring these students.”
It is not unusual for students to start their careers in business or industry and later launch their own venture, according to a 2024 survey of alumni who graduated between 1985-2023. The impact is significant. Iowa State alumni graduating during this time created nearly 100,000 firms, 1.6 million jobs nationally and 282,000 jobs in Iowa.
Additionally, companies supported through Iowa State’s Startup Factory and the Iowa G2M (Go-to-Market) accelerator have raised $119 million in capital since 2016, according to data from the Pappajohn Center. Spalding says the numbers illustrate the statewide impact of Iowa State’s entrepreneurial programming and economic development services.
“Iowa State is a world-class institution,” Spalding said. “We’re engaged in all 99 counties across the state, and we’re graduating more students who stay in Iowa. We’re critical to workforce, critical in our support through Extension and Outreach, Small Business Development Centers and CIRAS.”
Taking it to the next level
Of the many milestones over the past 30 years, Emerita President Wendy Wintersteen’s support of innovation and entrepreneurship is one of the most significant. In Wintersteen’s presidential installation, she made innovation and entrepreneurship a priority.
“Iowa State must be different; it must stand out from the pack. Then it must be better than the rest,” Wintersteen said during her 2018 installation address. “As president, I intend to establish a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem where innovating is built into the curriculum and where innovation and entrepreneurial ideas come from our students, faculty and staff, and that they receive support to move those ideas forward.”
Eyles remembers the excitement she felt hearing those words. In fact, she says peers at other institutions still talk about the significance of President Wintersteen’s support.
“What she did was instrumental. She embraced our students and made connections across campus,” Eyles said. “President Wintersteen was our secret weapon to make entrepreneurship more visible.”
During Wintersteen’s time as dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, she saw potential through the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative, now part of the university’s Start Something network, to further embed entrepreneurship across the university. Having served as dean she knew it would be critical to have all the colleges on board and engaged.
“The Start Something network provided a cohesive approach for students and faculty. Students from any college can share their entrepreneurship experience and make connections across the university,” Wintersteen said. “I think our approach is why entrepreneurship at Iowa State is different from other universities and why we’ve received global and national recognition.”
Initial skepticism about the universitywide network eventually turned into optimism as college leaders saw a return on their investment through opportunities for students and faculty, she said. And the response from students – their enthusiasm, joy and energy – was tremendous.
“To me it was exciting to meet with the students,” Wintersteen said. “We have given them a set of experiences that allows them the opportunity to learn and grow. Their learning experience is truly phenomenal.”
More to come
The success of the past 30 years is something to celebrate. It also serves as motivation for what Iowa State can accomplish over the next 30 years and beyond. Allen says the growth has far exceeded his expectations for programs, services and collaborative spaces that foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
“It’s part of the DNA. Iowa State is viewed as a school of innovation and entrepreneurship,” Allen said. “The Student Innovation Center is a capstone that embodies that spirit and is a remarkable development on campus.”
In 2024-2025, nearly 9,800 students used the makerspaces at the Student Innovation Center, and more than 8,000 individuals participated in programs at the Pappajohn Center. Additionally, more than 12,700 students enroll every year in entrepreneurship courses. Still, Eyles is always looking for ways to reach more students.
“Students in our entrepreneurship programs develop confidence in how to articulate a message, innovate and problem-solve. In sharing their passion, they start to recognize the importance of feedback and learn how to pivot or recognize failure and be OK with starting over. It builds resilience and fuels their drive,” Eyles said.
“Entrepreneurship is going to be vitally important as jobs continue to change,” she added. “To develop these skills, to see innovation and the opportunity to do something differently is so important.”
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