“These are large companies that offer incredible benefits from a capital and innovation point of view, but you’re not just a number. There’s so much approachability and collaboration here, unlike what you may find on the coasts.”
Biosciences
Make your next big discovery
Innovation lives here.
From startups to legacy enterprises, Iowa’s business-friendly regulatory climate, world-class research institutions and unrelenting commitment to innovation make the state a competitive hub for new breakthroughs in bioproducts, precision agriculture, medical devices and vaccines, diagnostics and immunotherapies.
The Iowa Advantage
Home to Elite Talent
Tap into a workforce leading the nation in key bioscience and agriscience roles.
As home to U.S.’s highest concentration of food scientists and vaccine/immunotherapy manufacturing employees, Iowa offers a deep, specialized talent pool ready to accelerate your R&D and production goals on day one.
The Iowa Advantage
Fuel Your Growth
In Iowa, being innovative isn’t just encouraged, it’s incentivized.
We’re one of the few states offering a refundable research activities tax credit to companies investing in Iowa-based R&D.
The Iowa Advantage
An Ecosystem Built to Win
From R&D to commercialization, our business-friendly climate takes your product from ideation to market at the speed of business.
Leading research institutions like Iowa State University and the University of Iowa support an ecosystem driven by homegrown talent and an R&D pipeline helping transform ideas into innovation.
#1
concentration of vaccine and immunotherapy manufacturing talent in U.S.
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025)
#2
employment of plant and soil scientists
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025)
Up to
$2M
Annual Renewable Chemical and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Tax Credit
70+
countries import Iowa pharmaceutical products
(WISERTrade)
#2
concentration of food scientists in U.S.
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025)
Luke Bibby
Chief Operating Officer, BHJ USA
“We’re anticipating even more investments on the horizon thanks to rapid advancements in technology adoption and infrastructure across the state.”
Dr. Martin Haverly
former director of R&D, Chevron REG
“Innovation thrives in Iowa because of our ideas and ingenuity. We have the resources and the knowledge to do it. Not everywhere has the resources that we do.”
Steve Brody
former president and CEO, BioConnect Iowa
“We are incredibly grateful for the strong support of the Iowa bioeconomy community and proud of the impact Iowa’s farmers will have on making our planet more sustainable.”
Jon Veldhouse
former CEO, Qore LLC
Grow in good company
Nearly 2,000 industry and category-leading companies have already discovered the business climate and spirit of collaboration that makes Iowa a premier hub for bioscience innovation.
Here, workers are in it for the long haul thanks to a quality of life that’s second to none.
Interested in hearing more?
Connect with us for a free, personalized consultation to discover how Iowa can serve your company’s needs.