Utah Innovation Fund

Shoutout to our very own Angela Smith for dropping next-level insights at the recent event with April Young, Elizabeth Poch, and ?? RaShea (Shea) Drake by Silicon Slopes Marketing Chapter: “Storytelling to Up-Level Your Brand and Business: How to Market Yourself.” Angela unpacked her journey from education to venture capital, proving that the best stories don’t always follow a straight line. Her message was clear: you don’t have to change your background to fit into this space—your background is your edge. In a world where early-stage investing is all about betting on the people behind the pitch, Angela reminded us that how you tell your story can make all the difference. It’s not about sounding like what you think funders want to hear—it’s about showing up as the founder you actually are. Key takeaways from Angela’s session: ?? Your story matters more than you think—especially at the early stage. ?? Don’t reshape your background to fit the mold—lean into what makes you different. ?? Investors back people. Tell your story with the confidence of someone building something meaningful. ?? Nontraditional path? Good. That’s what sets you apart. Own it. We’re lucky to have leaders like Angela who don’t just talk about founder-first investing—they live it. Her perspective is a reminder that whether you’re raising your first round or landing your first role in VC, authenticity is your biggest asset. #VentureCapital #Storytelling #FounderFirst #WomenInVC #UtahInnovation #StartupMindset #AuthenticLeadership

NVIDIA x Utah = Building the AI Workforce of the Future Utah just took a major leap forward in AI education—and NVIDIA is helping lead the charge. Together with universities in the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), they’ve launched a statewide AI education and workforce development program designed to give students and educators—from K–12 to PhDs—real access to powerful AI tools and hands-on training. Here’s what’s launching: ? NVIDIA-powered AI labs across Utah’s public colleges and universities ? Instructor certification programs to train educators on AI tools and curriculum ? AI workstations to spark an early interest in generative AI and machine learning ? A statewide push to embed AI across disciplines, from engineering to the arts This program isn’t just about having the latest tech—it’s about building a strong, future-ready talent pipeline and making sure Utah students and educators are prepared to lead in a tech-driven world. We’re all in on this vision because when students and researchers have the right tools, they don’t just learn—they build. Full story here: Utah to Advance AI Education, Training | NVIDIA https://lnkd.in/gzAvbexr Let’s keep putting Utah on the map—not just for startups, but for the talent that powers them. #UtahInnovation #NVIDIA #AI #DeepTech #Education #FutureOfWork #HigherEd #StudentBuilders #StartupEcosystem #TechWithPurpose

Utah’s AI energy is heating up and we’re here for it. We’re excited to support the upcoming AI Hackathon hosted by the University of Utah Responsible AI Initiative — where the state’s sharpest minds will be building real AI in just 24 hours. No fluff, smart people solving real problems with tech that matters. Whether you’re into machine learning, ethical AI, or just want to build cool stuff, this is the place to be. ?? March 29–30, 2025 ?? Warnock Engineering Building, U of U ?? rai.utah.edu/hackathon Utah’s tech ecosystem continues to rise—and we’re all about backing the builders. Let’s go. #AIHackathon #BuilderEnergy #ResponsibleAI #UtahInnovation #DeepTech #ML #StudentBuilders #UofU #TechWithPurpose #UtahTech

We're still accepting applications for our Summer ‘25 Student Internship! We are looking for ambitious students—from undergrads to PhDs at Utah institutions of higher education—to join our remote student analyst internship. If you’re interested in venture capital, startups, and deep-tech innovation, this is your chance to gain real investment experience and work alongside founders and investors shaping Utah’s startup ecosystem. ?? Program Dates: May 5 – August 22, 2025 ?? Remote | Open to Utah students ?? Application Deadline: March 28 ?? Apply here: https://lnkd.in/g-568p2y Stay up to date on our latest investments, events, and opportunities by subscribing to our newsletter: utahinnovationfund.com Don’t miss out—apply today! #VCInternship #VentureCapital #Startups #DeepTech #UtahInnovation #StudentAnalyst #HigherEd

Huge congratulations to Paterna Biosciences! Thrilled to see Paterna Biosciences, one of Utah’s standout biotech innovators, selected for the 2025 Mayo Clinic & ASU MedTech Accelerator—and as part of the very first life sciences cohort! This is a big step forward in advancing cutting-edge male fertility treatments, and we’re excited to see how this opportunity helps propel their groundbreaking work. Looking forward to seeing Paterna collaborate with top MedTech innovators in this prestigious program. The future of healthcare innovation is being built right now! #MedTechAccelerator #MayoClinic #ASU #HealthcareInnovation #MedTech #LifeSciences #UtahInnovation

We’ll be presenting at this month’s Third Thursday Three-Pitch Event, where you can hear firsthand about how we’re backing deep-tech startups, fueling innovation, and helping Utah’s brightest ideas scale. If you’re a founder, investor, or just curious about what we do—come join us! ?? Event Details: ?? Register here: Third Thursday Event: https://lnkd.in/gXyZVsku And if you want to stay in the loop on what we’re working on, sign up for our monthly newsletter here: utahinnovationfund.com See you there! ?? #VentureCapital #Startups #UtahInnovation #DeepTech #InvestorNetworking #ThirdThursday

The Power of Giving (and Figuring It Out) in Venture Had an incredible session at Reference Group with Tyler Jennings, featuring Blake Modersitzki, Managing Partner at Pelion Venture Partners. Blake’s journey from farm life to venture capital is a testament to the mindset that drives great investors and founders. Growing up on a farm, he learned that hard work is never done, dedication is daily, and when challenges hit, you always “FIO” – Figure It Out. That same mentality applies to startups, investing, and building a thriving ecosystem. Even once you break into venture capital, the grinding doesn’t stop. But if you operate with the principles below, not only will you succeed, but you’ll elevate everyone around you—and that’s the ultimate goal. ?? Giver first mentality – The best investors don’t just take; they create value for others without expecting immediate returns. ?? Abundance over scarcity – Sharing deals, making the right connections, and knowing who belongs in the room with the entrepreneur creates stronger, lasting success. ?? Empowering the next generation – Intentionally developing younger partners and ensuring everyone has skin in the game. An example of these principles in action is the Reference Group, which is committed to bringing students into the conversation. From mentorship to direct access to top-tier investors, it’s about creating real opportunities and breaking down barriers. Our own Steven Valdez is part of this community, gaining hands-on experience and building meaningful connections. Huge thanks to Blake, Tyler, and The Reference Group for fostering an ecosystem built on value, generosity, and long-term thinking. Utah Innovation Fund is proud to support initiatives that bring students into the room and set them up for success. #VentureCapital #GiverFirst #AbundanceMindset #FIO #FigureItOut #Startups #UtahInnovation #SiliconSlopes

We’re excited to be supporting and participating in the START AgriTech Scale Up Program, helping seed to A-stage agri-tech startups connect with investors, markets, and strategic partners. On March 31 – April 3, 2025, startups from around the world will be in St. George & Las Vegas, and we’re looking for VCs and business development leaders to join 1:1 meetings with these companies. If you’re interested in meeting high-growth agri-tech innovators, reach out—we’d love to connect you with the right founders. DM us or comment below to get involved! Utah Tech University Frontier RNG Arieli Innovate World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) Haifa Group #AgriTech #Startups #VentureCapital #Innovation #BusinessDevelopment #InvestorNetworking #UtahTech

Orly Alter presented groundbreaking work at #AGBTGM 2025, showing how advanced AI can extract meaningful insights from complex biological data, opening new doors for precision medicine. This is a huge step toward making AI-driven discoveries more reliable, even with challenging datasets. Proud to see Prism AI pushing the limits of what’s possible in biotech and AI! #AI #Biotech #MachineLearning #Innovation #PrecisionHealth #AGBTGM

Summer ‘25 Student Analyst Internship – Apply Now! The Utah Innovation Fund is looking for sharp, ambitious students to join our Summer ‘25 Analyst Program! If you're into startups, venture capital, and deep tech, this is your chance to get real investment experience working with founders and investors. ?? May 5 – Aug 22, 2025 ?? Hybrid | Utah-based ?? Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gmfUcVvy ? Hands-on due diligence & deal analysis ? Work directly with founders & investors ? Be part of Utah’s innovation ecosystem This isn’t your typical internship—you’ll be in the action, evaluating real deals, and building your VC skillset. ?? Apply now - Applications close March 28th! #VCInternship #VentureCapital #Startups #Innovation #UtahTech