The University of Iowa has opened two new facilities intended to support startups at different stages of growth: the Medical Innovation Launch Lab (MILL), operated by the Office of Innovation, and a new downtown Iowa City incubator operated by the Tippie College of Business’ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC).
A news release from the university said the two spaces are meant to work together as part of its startup pipeline, from research and invention through startup formation and business growth.
Medical Innovation Launch Lab supports medical technology companies
The Medical Innovation Launch Lab was funded through an $8.2 million grant from Gov. Kim Reynolds aimed at Iowa’s bioscience sector. The facility, located in the Iowa Biosciences Innovation Building, is nearly 13,000 square feet and provides laboratory space, product development resources, mentorship, and connections to industry experts and investors for medical technology startups.
The university positions the MILL as a step between the Translational Research Incubator, where new ventures begin, and the BioVentures Center at the University of Iowa Research Park, where companies later expand. Several existing programs — Protostudios, the Iowa Nurse Innovator Program, Iowa MADE, and the Iowa Innovation Leadership Fellows — will be housed in the building.
“It takes talent, capital, and the right environment to translate healthcare discoveries into products that improve lives,” said Jon Darsee, University of Iowa chief innovation officer, in a statement. “We’re grateful for Governor Reynolds’ investment, which helps address a critical need in Iowa’s innovation pipeline. Nearly 70 percent of the intellectual property generated through the University of Iowa is focused on improving human health. The MILL provides the space, and support innovators need to move those discoveries toward commercialization while strengthening Iowa’s economy.”
Iowa JPEC opens new downtown incubator
Iowa JPEC has opened a new incubator in downtown Iowa City in the former Hotel Vetro, which the university said nearly doubles the center’s previous capacity.
“Entrepreneurship continues to grow across the University of Iowa, and this new space allows us to support even more founders as they develop ideas into successful businesses,” said Adam Keune, executive director of Iowa JPEC, in a statement. “Students remain central to our mission, but the expanded incubator also allows us to serve a broader network of University of Iowa-affiliated entrepreneurs and community founders by connecting them with the expertise, resources, and alumni network of the Tippie College of Business.”
Student entrepreneurs will relocate this fall from the Bedell Entrepreneurial Learning Laboratory (BELL), JPEC’s previous location on North Clinton Street, to the new incubator. The university said the space is named in recognition of benefactor Tom Bedell.
