Undergrad turned entrepreneur
"Innovation is a key part of being an engineer. At our core, we are problem solvers, and as we move into the future with new technology, there will be new problems to solve. We are the ones who will find those new solutions."
Keegan Fogarty builds business, General Robotics, before graduating with ME degree
Keegan Fogarty didn’t come to the University of Iowa to start a business. But he’s building a company — General Robotics — that could redefine how small and mid-size manufacturers approach automation.
A connection with the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) early in his college journey sparked a passion that has shaped his experience and put him on a path to launching a company of his own.
“Basically, we’re developing simulation software that allows engineers to upload a 3D model of their assembly line, drop in a robot, and tell it what to do,” said Fogarty, who earned a BSE in mechanical engineering in May and is working on a master’s degree. “But the real kicker?
The software will ideally write the program for the entire assembly line.”
It’s a product born from experience.
The native of Princeton, Illinois, interned for three summers at LCN, a small manufacturer that builds door closers. He saw firsthand how automation could help — but also how daunting it was for companies without dedicated robotics teams.
“This isn’t about taking jobs,” he said. “It’s about changing jobs.”
Fogarty credits Iowa JPEC with helping him think beyond the engineering — customer discovery, market fit, and long-term strategy. Now, with General Robotics gaining momentum, Fogarty is working on an alpha version of the software and speaking with potential users — engineers, engineering managers, and plant managers.
“The engineer has to want to use it. The manager has to want to buy it,” he said. “I’m focused on both.”
The goal? Build a team, refine the product, and generate revenue before graduation.