The opportunity to help create something remarkable in her hometown has been one of the driving forces behind Alison Doyle’s work at the Iowa State University Research Park.
Doyle is an Ames native and graduate of Ames High School and Iowa State University who lived and worked in several states and Europe for marketing and public relations agencies and tech startups. She returned to Ames 18 years ago to take a respite from an international position in a tech company and to raise her young child close to family, and began working at the Research Park in what she calls “the best job at Iowa State.”
She is Associate Director of the Research Park, which is a 550+ acre development near the Iowa State campus with more than 1 million square feet of work space in 21buildings. It was founded in 1987 to provide the space and resources needed to advance science-based initiatives and assist startups and established companies develop their potential by nurturing scientific and technological entrepreneurial ventures and connecting to Iowa State.
1. Tell me about ISU Research Park and the role it plays in supporting innovation coming from Iowa State University and industry.
The Research Park is an amazing economic driver not only in our community, but our state. We help founders, innovators, and companies connect with resources to help their businesses be successful, both in our Research Park community, and at Iowa State. Our ecosystem has grown over the years to host a tremendous amount of support for innovators, whether that is through our workforce solutions, business counseling services, programming, accelerators, funding, mentorship or space.
A location at the Research Park provides a number of benefits for companies of all sizes. In most cases, companies come to us for innovation/pipeline connections, workforce solutions, research infrastructure, equipment and testing. The coolest thing about the Research Park is that most companies come searching for help with one challenge, and they stay and grow here because they find their location to provide help with their initial challenge, but also to so much more. An established company or a founder can set up at our Research Park very easily, quickly, and with a very low barrier of entry. We exist to take the burden from the business and think about how to better do that every day, which is really quite unique.
2. What advantages does Iowa offer to businesses located here and those looking to relocate?
The most obvious advantage at our Research Park specifically, is "front door" access to the amazing students Iowa State educates every day. We educate more Iowans than any other state school and more of our graduates stay here. Proximity and support from our research community is also a key attribute as corporate partners can augment their own research and development efforts by partnering with our research teams for thought leadership and practical solutions.
The Research Park and the state, along with a host of other partners have worked really hard over the last couple of decades to provide a nice continuum of services for those looking to relocate here, from tax breaks, to funding, programming, and a tremendous support system. Additionally, the cost of doing business, our cost of living, and schools have historically been quite competitive. The other thing that is often overlooked is that those of us working in this space all know each other, like each other, and are collaborators. We know that in a market this size, we need to lean into that strength. If you have a problem or challenge and we cannot solve it here, we almost always can find someone who can, and we will happily make a phone call to connect. We have heard stories over the years of these sorts of relationships taking years off processes for those trying to overcome challenges as they grow a business footprint.
3. What are some of the most exciting things happening at the Research Park?
The park is full of innovators up to amazing things, and we get to help support them. Research Park companies are solving global problems: creating vaccines for global health emergencies, creating technologies for farmers that help them feed more people and address labor issues on the farm, improving water quality, creating software platforms to make things easier for everyone from dentists to Fortune 50 companies, creating products for cancer patients, educators and manufacturing companies, and so much more. I am always particularly in awe of the thoughtful leadership of our tenant partners. These people could be part of their own company or a global brand, and they are thoughtful, hardworking, and come to work each day with a mission to make whatever it is they are working on better. It is a really special community and the spirit of it is contagious.
4. What advice do you have for someone considering a move or return to Iowa?
We punch above our weight class in many ways, but Iowa nice really is a thing. You can expect people here to assume good before bad, to help before walking away. That goes for business as well as neighbors.
5. Please share three recommendations of things to do or places to go in Iowa.
Ride your bike. Our trails infrastructure improves every year, the communities along the trails are a fantastic way to see some of the best parts of our state and our cycling community is tight-knit and helpful. Whether joining an organized gravel or road ride, spending a day in Des Moines on the Inter-Urban or taking the Great Western to Martensdale, you'll find some of the state's best people on two wheels. The long-awaited connector between the Raccoon River Trail and the High Trestle provides many ways to bike pack or stop off at hotels for a multi-day trip. RAGBRAI may have made us famous (and if you haven't ever experienced it, you should) but there are many other authentic ways to explore our state on a bike.
Agritourism and rural tourism are alive and well. Whether you follow a junk jaunt, check out maker's markets, or visit hidden gems of Main Streets throughout the state (don't sleep on Nevada and Jewell) — there are amazing makers and farmers bringing their product direct to our communities. If you are a foodie, there are also some fantastic restaurants tucked away in our small towns, including 716 Main in Humboldt, 209 Main in Paton, Pickles Pub in Kamrar, Babe's Steakhouse in Radcliffe, Mabe’s Pizza in Decorah, Juniper & Oliver in Jewell and many more!
Explore our state and county parks. From Backbone to Ledges, to Honey Creek to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa’s natural spaces change in magical ways each season. In Ames, Soper’s Mill, McFarland Park and Peterson Park are some of my favorite places.
Published March 2025.