Product Development & Innovation

To optimize the commercialization of new ideas, founders frequently work with outside organizations to improve or hone their idea and offerings.

Some of the same organizations that facilitate prototype development are able to help a startup to create a minimum viable product.

Additional organizations that can transform a proof-of-concept into a minimum viable product by providing engineering, design, innovation, lab and field testing and other product development assistance include:

Engineering/Design Firms

• Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS)
• Digital Manufacturing Lab (Alliant Energy)
• Maple Ventures (Ramco)
• Protostudios
• Stevens Product Development
• The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo)

Software, Hardware and Data

• AppLifts
• Lean TECHniques
• Wabash Heartland Innovation Network

Lab and Field Testing

• Ag Ventures Alliance (Keehner, Liz)
• Iowa State University:
  • Biocentury Research Farm
  • Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites
  • Center for Crops Utilization Research
  • Center for Multiphase Flow Research and Education
  • Swine Medicine Education Center (Karricker, Locke)

---