Sponsors
The main sponsors of this event are Zions Bank, Grow Utah Ventures and USTAR. These organizations each share a common passion in supporting Utah's entrepreneurs and inventors. They will be covering the costs of the contest as well as offering up the prize money.
Additional organizations are in full support of this event and are donating their time & expertise.
Zions Bank - Master Sponsor
Zions Bank is Utah's oldest financial institution, and is the only local bank with statewide distribution of branches, operating 112 full-service branches throughout Utah. Zions Bank also operates 23 full-service branches in Idaho, and nearly 200 ATMs throughout Utah and Idaho. In addition to a wide range of traditional banking services, Zions offers a comprehensive array of investment and mortgage services, and has a network of loan origination offices for small businesses nationwide. The company is also a leader in providing electronic banking services, including electronic municipal bond trading. Founded in 1873, Zions has been serving the communities of Utah for more than 130 years. Additional information is available atwww.zionsbank.com.
Grow Utah Ventures Master Sponsor
Grow Utah Ventures, is a privately funded not-for-profit organization dedicated to stimulate, unlock and develop the entrepreneurial talent and early stage business opportunities for value creation across Utah. Comprised of a team of successful and experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders and private investors, Grow Utah Ventures accomplishes its mission by 1) Identifying, selecting and recognizing accomplished and promising Utah entrepreneurs, 2) Building a statewide community of outstanding entrepreneurs and those interested in promoting entrepreneurial development, 3) Partnering with organizations, companies and investors seeking to support Utah's best entrepreneurs, 4) Rallying community leadership and financial resources to support entrepreneurial development. For more information about Grow Utah Ventures, visit www.growutahventures.com.
USTAR Master Sponsor
In March 2006, the Utah State Legislature passed Senate Bill 75 creating the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) initiative providing funding for strategic investments at the University of Utah and Utah State University to recruit world-class researchers and build state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research and development facilities and to form first-rate science, innovation, and commercialization teams across the State. This initiative focuses on leveraging the proven success of Utah's research universities in creating and commercializing innovative technologies to generate more technology-based start-up firms, higher paying jobs, and additional business activity leading to a state-wide expansion of Utah's tax base. Ultimately, USTAR stands as an innovative, visionary, and far-reaching initiative to further bolster Utah's high-technology economy. Utah recently received recognition from Kauffman Foundation as the "Most Dynamic Economy." More information can be found at www.ustar.utah.gov.
Seed Dixie
SEED Dixie
Through an initiative sponsored by the Washington County Economic Development Council, the SEED Dixie project has established a strategic direction for the Washington county area and surrounding region for fostering entrepreneurial development and the creation of growth and high growth businesses. The overall objective is to strengthen the regional economy by creating a diversified economy.
Specifically this project was designed to implement strategies that increase the overall momentum in the region for entrepreneurial development and thereby approach and exceed the "tipping point"- that point where entrepreneurial development in the region becomes self-sustaining. For more information, visit www.dixiebuisnessallliance.com/seed
Five County Associations of Government
The Five County Association of Governments encompasses over 11 million acres of land in southwestern Utah. The Association serves 38 municipalities (incorporated cities and towns), five county-wide school districts and the county jurisdictions of Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, and Washington. The organization staff excels in facilitating the development and delivery of programs assigned by local officials to assure southwestern Utah remains a premier region in which to live, work and recreate. From an economic development stance, the organization seeks to promote businesses with high potential particularly in the rural areas. The Five County AOG administers a revolving loan fund to provide funding assistance to growing businesses. For more information visit, www.FCAOG.state.ut.us
Six County Associations of Government
Through local intergovernmental agreements, the Six County Association of Governments (SCAOG) was organized in 1969 to provide services available through state and federal programs to the citizens of Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier and Wayne counties. SCAOG's primary goal is to serve as a multi-purpose organization, utilizing combined resources to effectively provide a broad spectrum of services, including economic and community development, as well as essential human services. The Five County AOG, administers a revolving loan fund to provide funding assistance to growing businesses. For more information visit www.sixcounty.com.
Utah Small Business Development Centers
The mission of the USBDCs is To strengthen Utah's economic fabric and quality of life by facilitating the success and prosperity ofญญญญญญญ business endeavors. The USBDC serves the following major Utah clients:
- Current businesses that need help solving a business problem.
- Company owners and managers who need help in their efforts to expand and grow.
- Company owners and managers looking for specialized training opportunities Minority and disadvantaged existing and pre-startup clients.
- Pre-startup client interested in assessing the feasibility of a business idea.
Contact your local SBDC at www.utahsbdc.org.
Snow College
Snow College enhances the economic development of Central Utah through partnering with business, industry, government, and community to provide high-demand professional, career, and applied technology education. Snow College offers business courses leading to degree and certificate programs as well as supporting the Custom Fit Training program and the Utah Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Business and Technology Division courses as well as services from Custom Fit Training and the Utah SBDC are available through Snow College in Ephraim and Richfield.
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University is a comprehensive, regional, public university serving 7,500 students by delivering high quality undergraduate and graduate education on a beautiful, residential campus in Cedar City. Recently named as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News and World Reports, the University is an important center for learning, cultural enrichment, economic development and public service. SUU is currently developing a pilot program for statewide Business Resource Centers.
Dixie State College
Dixie State College has been in the forefront of economic development support in Southern Utah. The school hosts the Dixie Business Alliance, a development and resource center comprised of eight organizations committed to entrepreneurial and small business success. DSC actively works with the local community, region, and state to identify and meet the workforce demands of business and industry. The college leadership serves an active role on the Washington County Economic Development council.
Utah Pulse - Media Sponsor
Utah Pulse is a Zions Bank sponsored venture aimed at creating the premiere business web site in the Rocky Mountain region. Utah Pulse is being built around a robust website featuring premium business content in text, audio and video formats. This content includes a daily subscription based newsletter; a variety of business lists, data and tools; educational resources and user generated content from entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business policy makers. For more information and to subscribe, visit: www.UtahPulse.com
LAUNCH Magazine - Media Sponsor
Launch is a free online entrepreneur magazine written by Utah entrepreneurs, and those that mentor, support and invest in them. Our articles are written from the street level view point of the entrepreneur - hard hitting, clear, concise and to the point. Launch is published quarterly in a digital magazine format that looks and reads like a printed magazine. Subscribe for free at www.launchutah.com.
