University of Iowa: Research to Revenue

University of Iowa

Summit Venture Studio

Research to Revenue Report

Summit Venture Studio (SVS) Opportunities

SVS has identified 12 commercialization opportunities from University of Iowa and scored them based on our proprietary metrics and rubrics.

The SVS model is to identify the top 1% of commercialization opportunities and start companies around them.

Please connect with SVS if you would like to engage with us in our startup and investment efforts.

Return on Research (ROR) Analysis

Commercialization Revenue per Research Dollar

Top Universities by Return on Research (ROR)

ROI Ratio: Commercialization Revenue ÷ Research Funding

University Innovation Analysis

Total Innovation Scores by Institution

Top Universities by Innovation Score

180+ High Innovation

150-179 Strong Innovation

130-149 Moderate Innovation

100-129 Emerging Innovation

130+ total score considered high innovation impact

SVS Innovation Index

Proprietary Assessment of University of Iowa's Innovation Ecosystem
Score out of 100. Benchmark: Top 50 U.S. research institutions.
A score of 90/100 can be read "doing better than 90% of schools benchmarked"

Innovation Visibility

81/100

Definition: Media mentions, publication count, and global research visibility metrics

Startup Momentum

9/100

Definition: Growth in patents, funding, and startup formation

Ecosystem Strength

56/100

Definition: Tech transfer infrastructure and support systems

Innovation Legacy

A Timeline of Groundbreaking Discoveries

Innovation Timeline

Founded

1847

First Nobel

1944

First Patent

1960

First IPO

N/A

2022-2024

AI-driven diagnostics

2025

Today

Notable Commercialization Outcomes

Nobel Prizes

1960s

Fluorescence Microscope

Innovative microscope technology developed

1960s

Patent Licensing

First major patent licensed

1980s

Biotech Spinoff

Spinout company created

1990s

Drug Discovery

Novel drug candidate identified

2000s

Startup Funding

Significant startup venture funded

2010s

Competitive Benchmarking

University of Iowa vs. Peer Research Universities

University of Iowa vs Peers Comparison

Metric	University of Iowa (FY2023)	Peer Average	Elite Average
Annual R&D Expenditure	$662M	$855M	$1,675M
New Inventions Disclosed	1	200	400
Startups Formed	4	7	10
Visibility Index	1	12	23
Licensing Revenue	$5M	$17M	$46M

Note: Peer Average = Median value among U.S. R1 research universities. Elite Average = Top 10 ranked U.S. research universities.

Emerging Opportunities

1. AI-Driven Precision Medicine Enhances Personalized Cancer Treatment

Revolutionizes oncology by tailoring therapies to individual genetics, improving outcomes, reducing costs, and addressing unmet needs in cancer care globally.

2. Advanced Battery Materials Innovate Energy Storage Solutions

Develops scalable, cost-effective battery technologies enabling longer-lasting, safer energy storage critical for electric vehicles and renewable energy integration.

3. Novel Biodegradable Polymers Transform Sustainable Packaging

Creates eco-friendly packaging alternatives addressing plastic waste pollution, meeting rising consumer demand for sustainable products with global market potential.

4. Wireless Brain-Computer Interfaces Accelerate Neurotechnology Applications

Pioneers non-invasive neural interfaces for medical and consumer use, unlocking new treatments for neurological disorders and enhancing human-computer interaction.

5. Crop Genomics Boosts Agricultural Productivity and Climate Resilience

Leverages genetic insights to develop high-yield, drought-resistant crops, addressing food security challenges amid climate change worldwide.

6. Cybersecurity Algorithms Protect Critical Infrastructure from Emerging Threats

Innovates adaptive security solutions safeguarding vital systems against sophisticated cyberattacks, meeting urgent national and enterprise-level defense needs.