ESSAY BY ROBERT ABBOTT
The journey to becoming an innovator and founder in Iowa is a testament to the power of education, experience and a deep sense of community. My path began at Maquoketa High School, followed by the University of Northern Iowa, where I completed a degree in graphic design and marketing. This foundation set the stage for an early career that would take me across the United States, starting with design agencies in Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis. Each position helped to hone my skills and expand my network, but it was my return to Iowa that sparked a new passion.
Back in Iowa, I worked at a design firm in Waterloo while teaching at the University of Northern Iowa at night. This dual role ignited an interest in education, leading me to the Rhode Island School of Design, where I earned a Master of Fine Arts in graphic design. In 1992, as the internet was in its infancy, I joined the Advanced Technology Group at Apple Computer in Cupertino, Calif. Here, I helped explore new models for human-computer interaction during a formative and rapidly evolving period.
The growth of the internet inspired me to leave Apple and launch my first digital design firm in Providence, R.I., crafting interactive solutions for prestigious clients including the Smithsonian, PBS, Bacardi, BMW and Deutsche Bank, Jamaica Tourist Board and even companies closer to home such as John Deere. My work took me across the globe, designing solutions for diverse markets and languages. Despite this global reach, Maquoketa, my hometown, remained close to my heart. This connection fueled a desire to share my experiences with my community to encourage growth and innovation.
In 2019, a call to Nic Hockenberry, then director of the Jackson County Economic Alliance, revealed a gap in Maquoketa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This conversation was the catalyst for Innovate 120, a state-of-the-art coworking hub and innovation center located in a historic bank on Main Street. The journey from idea to action presented many challenges, requiring a leap of faith to create something unprecedented in the community. Building connections with community, government and business leaders was essential to progress. These relationships helped grow support, make new connections, uncover partnerships and pursue grants to fund our ambitious vision.
A valuable partnership was with Jerre and Mary Joy Stead, fellow Maquoketa natives known for their philanthropic efforts, including the Stead Family Children’s Hospital at the University of Iowa. Their validation and support underscored the importance of relationships in driving innovation and success for our hometown.
Building a beautiful facility is perhaps the most predictable part of the journey. Realizing our vision means developing programming that can effectively engage the community. This can be a heavy lift, not only in planning but in execution. Key to success is an ongoing commitment to trying new ideas, and testing, learning and iterating on those ideas.
Our first program at Innovate 120 was a summer internship for high school students in Jackson County, focused on helping develop critical thinking and communication skills. During the six-week program, students engage directly with senior leaders from industry giants including John Deere and Google, focused on answering strategic questions such as using technology to improve agricultural sustainability or leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance accessibility for users with mobility challenges. The result has been impressive for clients and life-changing for the students.
In addition, we host a Summer Science Camp Series to introduce young children to STEM concepts, a monthly public program to highlight the successes of local business owners and a startup boot camp and pitch competition in partnership with Maquoketa High School. Innovate 120 has become a venue for important community events, including hosting town hall meetings for Iowa’s U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst.
Returning to Iowa and establishing Innovate 120 has been a deeply fulfilling journey. Despite my travels and experiences in different parts of the world, the sense of purpose and belonging I feel in Jackson County is unparalleled. For me, Iowa represents home — a place where I can contribute to the growth and development of the community that shaped me.
Robert Abbott is a designer, founder and innovator who has led successful communication design solutions across verticals, cultures and global geographies. He was an early leader in digital experience design starting his career at Apple before moving on to build and successfully exit several digital agencies serving global clientele including Deutsche Bank, Bacardi Global Brands, Panasonic, Jamaica Tourist Board and John Deere. He helped establish a design thinking and entrepreneurship program at Denison University before leveraging insight and experience to launch the nonprofit Innovate 120, an innovation and coworking center in his hometown of Maquoketa, Iowa. Since 2021, Innovate 120 has built an annual user experience (UX) internship program for high school students, start up pitch competitions in partnership with local high schools and recently launched an e-commerce accelerator to help engage rural communities in foundational business growth.