Iowa City Area Development Group / University of Iowa - MERGE Innovation Space

The MERGE Innovation Space is designed to create and cultivate a knowledge ecosystem for entrepreneurs and startups, offering vital resources and connections to successfully create, launch and grow new companies in Iowa City.

1. MERGE Innovation + Place

2. The team Answer the question, “Why are we the ones to solve the problem we identified?” Tom Banta Iowa City Area Development Community Jon Darsee David Hensley University of Iowa Office of Economic Development Faculty Engagement John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Student Engagement Katherine Crosby Iowa City Area Development University Student

3. OUR WHY

4. 1 35 $1,312,500 $1,312,500 2 55 $2,062,500 $3,375,000 3 80 $3,000,000 $6,375,000 4 100 $3,750,000 $10,125,000 5 125 $4,687,500 $14,812,500 6 150 $5,625,000 $20,437,500 7 175 $6,562,500 $27,000,000 8 200 $7,500,000 $34,500,000 Year New + Sustained FTEs Annual Economic Impact Cumulative Impact

5. Milestones Where we’ve been and where we’re going May 2016 Moved into unfurnished space Jan 2017 Renovations begin May 2017 MERGE Grand Opening IC Colab 13,000 square feet 15 rentable offices 40 bench spaces Ongoing 3D printing Public and private events

6. Community Engagement

7. University Office of Economic Development Faculty Innovation Companies the University has fostered at MERGE -RAMDO Solutions -Hobu -Edammo Inc

8. 47 Clients 25 Product Prototyping Projects 70 Total Design Related Projects Over 1300 Parts 3D Printed

9. $1.5 million in state funding 3D Printers: J750, F370, Markforged Mark II, ExOne Metal Printer 2 3D Scanners NSF I-Corp

10. John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Campus-wide Academic Program UI Student Ventures Community-based Programs Long-term Partnership to Accelerate New Venture Formation “Iowa Swarm” Collaborating to foster Economic Development