The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative at Iowa State University was established in 2005, by a $1.6 million gift from Roger and Connie Underwood, of Becker Underwood, an Ames based company that creates and produces specialty bio-agronomic and colorant products.

The Underwoods understand and recognize the importance of entrepreneurship and wish to empower graduates and faculty from Iowa State University with the entrepreneurial tools needed to start their own business ventures.

Innovations and business creation are fundamental to long term economic growth. Helping Iowa State students and faculty to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills will contribute to Iowa's economy.