eLink Connectory

The eLink connectory is a place to connect with all the entrepreneur groups/associations/meetups around Utah. It’s a directory of who to connect with- that’s why we call it a connectory.

At Grow Utah Ventures, the main question entrepreneurs ask us is “What events, groups, associations are out there that I can connect with?”  Well, the answer is this list! As we’ve traveled the state we’ve met a lot of groups and now we’ve put together a list just for you.

Check it out and let us know of any others by emailing: info@growutahventures.com

 

NorthFront Entrepreneur Alliance

The NorthFront Entrepreneur Alliance was created in 2008 under the sponsorship of SEED Weber/Davis/Morgan & Grow Utah Ventures. It’s purpose is to bring entrepreneurs in Northern Utah together to learn, network, share ideas, find needed resources, and to recognize accomplishments among the group. The goal is to create an alliance that will foster and promote entrepreneurism in Northern Utah. Membership is free and there are approximately 1000 members of the alliance.

www.NorthFrontAlliance.org

LaunchUp

We are about entrepreneurs & startups. We host a free monthly event in Utah (Vegas coming soon) where we can all geek out on & be energized about entrepreneurship.

www.LaunchUp.org

BoomStartup Mentoring-Investment Program

The purpose of BoomStartup is to help great tech ideas find an optimal business model, create a minimal viable product that is revenue-ready, execute into revenue generation, and then make connections to customers and investors. The goal is that the companies at the end of the summer program will warrant investment from angel investors, venture capitalists, and banks. BoomStartup’s mentors have included founders and key individuals from companies including Omniture, Cisco, Skull Candy, Altiris, and many more.

www.BoomStartup.com

StartupUtah

Startup Utah is a regional initiative to increase the breadth and depth of entrepreneurial ecosystem across the State of Utah. From St. George to Cedar City, from Provo to Salt Lake City to Ogden, and across the Wasatch into Park City. Our mission is to multiply connections among entrepreneurs and mentors, improve access to entrepreneurial education, and build a more vibrant entrepreneurial community. The initiative is associated with the national Startup America Partnership sponsored by the White House.

www.StartupUtah.com

Junto Partners

Since 2004 Junto has helped entrepreneurs discover what it takes to be successful. Junto has become a badge of honor – even a right of passage for Utah’s entrepreneurs. The Junto program has trained over 300 entrepreneurs from St. George to Logan and continues this tradition of education as the Junto Opportunity Institute. Junto is a six-week series taught by serial entrepreneur and principal investor Greg Warnock.

www.juntopartners.com

Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum

The Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF) is a volunteer non-profit support group connecting entrepreneurs to Money, Markets, and Mentors.

Celebrating 20 years of new business success, UVEF empowers individuals to thrive in business through potent education and networking.

Our mission is to provide effective tools and create synergy between our members and business experts. Among the many benefits of a UVEF membership is admission to our monthly networking events featuring a captivating keynote speaker and special programs. Meals are always included for members at all events. Members also enjoy exclusive access to our group membership directory and discussion board, podcasts and much more.

www.uvef.net

Dixie Business Alliance

Successful entrepreneurs know that it takes determination, dedication and confidence to realize their dreams. They also need the right support from someone they can trust to give them sound advice and point them in the right direction. The Dixie Business Alliance (DBA) can provide this support.

The DBA is a partnership of eight organizations committed to entrepreneurial and small business success.

www.DixieBusinessAlliance.com

Dixie Techs

The Dixie Technical Association (Dixie Techs) is a network of technology professionals and entrepreneurs in southern Utah. The Dixie Techs actively encourage idea exploration and implementation, entrepreneurship, job expansion, peer mentorship and education in the technology sector. We create possibilities in southern Utah’s knowledge economy.

www.DixieTechs.com

Startup Weekend - Salt Lake

Startup Weekend is an intense 54 hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The weekend brings together people with different skillsets – primarily software developers, graphics designers and business people – to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.

http://saltlakecity.startupweekend.org/

Startup Weekend - Ogden

Startup Weekend Ogden is a startup event on Nov 1-3, 2012. Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 400 past events in 100 countries around the world in 2011.

http://ogden.startupweekend.org/

Mountain West Capital Network

The MountainWest Capital Network (formerly the MountainWest Venture Group) is Utah’s first and largest business networking organization devoted to supporting entrepreneurial success through:

- Fostering the dynamic flow of information about capital formation and distribution

- Educating and mentoring excellence

- Recognizing and rewarding performance

- Networking activities which promote synergistic relationships.

www.mwcn.org

Entrepreneur Launch Pad

Entrepreneur Launch Pad began in 2008 with a professional networking group in Centerville, UT. The group’s objective is to provide a “hands on” approach to helping each other build successful businesses. Entrepreneur Launch Pad (ELP) now provides a forum in six locations in Northern Utah.

At these weekly meetings they can collaborate on business ideas, give instructive feedback on business presentations, listen to and discuss business topics, and make important networking contacts to help them grow their business.

The 6 meeting sites in Utah include: Brigham City, Kaysville, Ogden, Orem, Park City, and Sandy. ELP is a non-profit business, providing no cost services to entrepreneurs, whether first time, current, or repeat.

www.EntrepreneurLaunchPad.org

USTAR

The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah’s “knowledge economy.” This revolutionary initiative invests in world-class innovation teams and research facilities at the University of Utah and Utah State University, to create novel technologies that are subsequently commercialized through new business ventures.

In March 2006, the Utah State Legislature passed Senate Bill 75 creating USTAR. This measure provided 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 the Utah’s tax base.

www.InnovationUtah.com

Utah Tech-X

Utah Tech-X is a business acceleration project in Utah Valley that connects entrepreneurs to money, markets, and mentors. It’s mission is to seek out the most promising entrepreneurs, products, services and help accelerate access to money, markets, and mentors. The success of the program is measured by the number of quality jobs created for the community.

www.UtahTechX.com

Entrepreneurs' Organization - Utah

The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), for entrepreneurs only, is a dynamic, global network of more than 8,000 business owners in 40 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. The link below is for the Utah chapter.

http://eoaccess.eonetwork.org/utah/Pages/default.aspx

BioInnovations Gateway

Known for its leadership in life-sciences innovation, Utah has launched one of the first projects of its kind in the nation. BiG is a new high-tech educational facility designed to enhance the training of Utah’s life sciences workforce and spur economic development through business incubation.

www.bioinnovationsgateway.org

Weber Entrepreneurs Association

he Weber Entrepreneurs Association is a student organization at Weber State University. The mission of the Weber Entrepreneurs Association (WEA) is to provide opportunities for entrepreneurial-minded students to learn the process of starting and running successful businesses.

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58597605718

World Trade Center Utah

The WTCU is a “first stop” support organization and information hub where a business can receive an initial analysis of their trade capabilities, challenges, and opportunities; referrals to the most relevant services; and access to essential educational events to increase their expertise. WTCU’s signature service begins with a three step process of assess, educate & connect.

www.wtcut.com

Utah Technology Council

Utah’s premier professional association, the Utah Technology Council has become the essential business resource for life science, clean-tech and high-tech companies seeking to achieve greater success. At its core, UTC exists to foster the GROWTH of the state’s more than 5,700 technology companies, ensure Utah develops the highest QUALITY WORKFORCE in the nation and attract an ever-increasing array of FUNDING. Members join UTC to share insights with industry peers, counsel with government and academic leaders and receive help from professional service providers and funding resources.

www.UtahTechCouncil.org

Utah Economic Summit

The annual Governor’s Utah Economic Summit provides business leaders and decision-makers from the business, government and academic communities the opportunity to learn more about strategic opportunities and challenges facing businesses today.

www.UtahSummit.com

Governors Office Of Economic Development

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development charter is based on Governor Herbert’s commitment to economic development statewide.

The mandate for this office is to provide rich business resources for the creation, growth and recruitment of companies to Utah and to increase tourism and film production in the state.

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development accomplishes this mission through the administration of programs that are based around industries or “economic clusters” that demonstrate the best potential for development. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development utilizes state resources and private sector contracts to fulfill its mission.

http://business.utah.gov

Silicon Slopes

SiliconSlopes.com provides resources for technology and life sciences companies, investors and job seekers, including detailed company profiles, industry news, community calendar, a blog and job postings. There is also a section that tracks investors and their activity including deal flow in Utah.

www.SliconSlopes.com

Utah Pulse

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.

www.UtahPulse.com

BYU Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship

The Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology creates a supportive, nurturing environment for all the students of Brigham Young University who are capable of starting and growing tech and scalable ventures. We inspire confidence, courage, and the will to take the entrepreneurial first step. We create an environment that unleashes creativity, cultivates vision and innovation, and teaches the governing principles that are the foundation of every successful enterprise.

http://marriottschool.byu.edu/cet/

U of U Lassonde Entrepreneur Center

We provide and teach real world business experience to help young entrepreneurs be better prepared to understand and assume the risks of business ownership and management. Through this education process we hope to inspire entrepreneurs to continue their education not only today but continually so that they may be better prepared for tomorrow’s market.

www.lassonde.utah.edu/

USU Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence

The Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business is dedicated to promoting and propagating entrepreneurship throughout Utah State University, as well as supporting the commercialization of university developed technologies.

http://huntsman.usu.edu/ecenter/

Concept to Company Contest Series

The Grow Utah Ventures “Concept to Company” competitions are ongoing innovation contests held in various regions across the state of Utah. Each competition focuses on the unique entrepreneurial strengths of that particular region. To date, over $580,000 in cash/services has been awarded and over 85 businesses launched!

www.ConceptToCompany.org

Utah Entrepreneur Challenge Competition Series

The Utah Entrepreneur Series is an integrated competition process aimed at guiding students from the idea to implementation stages of a successful business. Submissions are judged by industry professionals for a chance to win $40,000.

There are three competition levels within the Series: techTITANS, Opportunity Quest, and the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. Competitions are not exclusive, and do not require prior entry to move to the next level; however, students are encouraged to participate in the entire Series for maximum gain.

www.ues.utah.edu

Grow America Springboard Competitions

Grow America is the sister organization to Grow Utah. Grow America is a for-profit organization while Grow America is a non-profit.

The Grow America Springboard Competitions are ongoing business plan competitions with no-strings-attached cash/service awards.

www.growam.com

Utah Small Business Development Centers

The Utah Small Business Development Center (USBDC) facilitates a network of centers throughout the state in a variety of rural and urban communities. Eleven service centers and four satellite locations provide high quality business consulting and training for existing businesses and entrepreneurs who want to start a business.

www.utahsbdc.org

Zions Bank Business Resource Center

Zions Bank has provided business resources for Utah business owners, including marketing your business, resources for managing cash flow, creating and finding sales channels, managing human resource and finding business insurance that is right for you. Our goal is to empower your business with the tools and resources you need to make the most of every opportunity and to achieve business success and reach your goals as a business owner.

www.zionsbank.sbresources.com

Miller Business Resource Center

The Miller Business Resource Center offers a wide range of services and support to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Support is provided through on-site internal resources such as the Salt Lake Region Small Business Development Center, the Miller Business Innovation Center, and the Women’s Business Institute as well as partners such as Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative and the Export Assistance Center, among others. The MBRC also has international business education training and assistance programs through the Global Business Center. Additionally, the MBRC has community and industry partnerships that also provide support and service to the Center.

www.mbrcslcc.com

Utah Valley University Business Resource Center

The Business Resource Center is UVU’s storefront for economic development. For entrepreneurs and small business managers,the BRC is a one-stop shop for resources, expertise and assistance that accelerate business growth. For the state, the BRC is a vital cog in the broader economic development engine that creates jobs and supports growth.

www.uvu.edu/brc/

Cache Business Resource Center

The mission of the Cache Business Resource Center (CBRC) is to support economic and business development that will improve the quality of life and economic well-being of citizens in the region and the State of Utah. The CBRC will provide a physical environment where emerging and established businesses can experience a collaborative environment of training, counseling, state-of-the-art operating space, and relevant resource information from both government and private providers. Incubator services, both on-site and virtual, will include educational programs and technical assistance for both owner and employees.

http://cachebrc.com/blog/ 

Price Business Resource Center

The Business Technical Assistance Center (BTAC) in Price is a non-profit economic development corporation. The goal of the BTAC is to ensure the success of new emerging businesses in Southeastern Utah. Our main objective is to assist you in the development of your business. If you are a new business owner, or you want to expand your existing business or start your own business, please call our office. We can help you achieve your goal.

http://business.utah.gov/start/Business-Resource-Centers/Business-and-Technical/

Southern Utah University Business Resource Center

We are a one-stop source for answers to your business questions. With our partners, we are prepared to offer extensive resources, coaching, and business expertise that will help you fulfill your business pursuits. Meeting with a counselor is free. Our purpose is to help build our local economy by helping your business grow and go! Starting and running a business isn’t easy, and we can help you in many ways.

www.suu.edu/business/brc/

NorthFront Business Resource Center

The Northfront Business Resource Center is located on the campus of the Davis Applied Techhnology College. The building was constructed through generous donations from many successful Davis and Weber county entrepreneurs. Our focus is to establish a center where new and existing businesses can find counseling, training and specialized support for their particular needs, as well as provide economic growth for our communities. The Roy W. and Elizabeth E. Simmons Entrepreneurship Building, where the Nortfront Business Resource Center operates, is home to a myriad of business resources and services to assist existing and startup business entities at no or low cost.

www.NorthFront.org

Ogden Business Information Center

The BIC (Business Information Center) is a one-stop small business information facility located in Ogden’s Downtown Central Business District in the newly renovated American Can Complex. The BIC operates in partnership between Ogden City, Weber State University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). The BIC hosts free, professional, one-on-one business consulting with SCORE and SBDC counselors. Both SCORE and the SBDC provide business workshops and seminars at the BIC location.

www.ogdenbusiness.com/support_bic

SLC Entrepreneurs Circle

SLC Entrepreneurs Circle is a monthly business networking and training event for entrepreneurs, early to mid-stage companies, and professionals thinking of starting businesses or professional practices. We are dedicated to providing expert level training from community business leaders, university faculty and successful entrepreneurs. This is Utah’s largest business meetup and the fastest growing business meetup in the United States.

www.meetup.com/Entrepreneurs-Circle

Tech & Business Co-Founder Salt Lake

With investor capital drying up and the typical speed pitch event losing their angel status, cofounder matchmaking is the best resource for new business startups. At this event you will date founders and potential co-founders. We put “speed pitch” into “speed dating.”

www.meetup.com/Tech-Business-Cofounder-Salt-Lake

Lean Startup Circle SLC

Lean Startup Circle is dedicated to applying lean startup thinking and building lean startup leadership. We bring the Salt Lake City lean startup community together in a variety of formats to learn from each other.

http://saltlakecity.leanstartupcircle.com/

Founding Moms Exchange

Entrepreneurial moms meet and network with each other. Anyone who owns a business, wants to own one, is working on a creative venture, or wants to be around other businesswomen in Salt Lake and surrounding neighborhoods can be a part of this Exchange. You do not have to be a business owner yet.

www.meetup.com/FoundingMoms-SaltLake/

Corporate Alliance

At Corporate Alliance (Utah), we help our members create real relationships, the kind that can weather any storm. Every successful business needs a vast network of trusted clients, advisors and friends. At Corporate Alliance, we help our members create their own powerful networks. People who know them, people who like them and people who trust them.

www.knoweveryone.com/

Salt Lake Inventions, Entrepreneur Meetup

This is a group of inventors and wanna be inventors, entrepreneurs, product developers, mechanical/industrial designers, mechanical and electrical engineers, manufacturers, really anyone that has a passion of creating innovative ideas and inventions transforming them into physical reality including mechanical, electrical, and software if needed. Women are the fastest growing segment of bringing products to market, but don’t always know where to begin, come and we’ll help each other through the whole process.

www.meetup.com/The-Salt-Lake-Inventions-Business-Entrepreneur-Products/

Startup Grind Utah

Startup Grind is an event series and website designed to help educate, inspire, and connect local entrepreneurs. Each month we welcome an amazing speaker who shares their story with our community and tells us what worked, what didn’t, and what they’ll do differently next time. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn from the best, network with other members of the startup community, and improve your chances of entrepreneurial success.

http://www.meetup.com/Startup-Grind-Utah/

Startup University

The Utah Startup University Seminar Series is dedicated to bringing entrepreneurs together. We provide value-added workshops and seminars focused on providing tools and skills to entrepreneurs, would-be-entrepreneurs and business owners of startup and early-stage companies. From legal, accounting and finance, to fundraising, taxes, and business planning, entrepreneurs get the real-world and expert advice to help them “start, build, and grow businesses.”

www.meetup.com/theStartupUniversity/

Kanab Entrepreneur Forum

The Kanab Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur Forum is rural Utah’s premiere grassroots entrepreneurship initiative. Designed in consultation with the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, a nationally acclaimed non-profit rural think tank, the Forum features monthly interviews with a wide variety of entrepreneurs.

Since the Forum began in 2007, attendees have commented on the value of learning practical lessons from successful business leaders as well as the importance of the Forum for networking. The Forum website also offers an online Entrepreneur Resource Library featuring regularly updated articles on issues ranging from financing, marketing and human resources to planning, legal matters and mentoring.

www.kekanab.com/New_Forum_Page.html

South Ogden Business Alliance

With the assistance of South Ogden City, the South Ogden Business Alliance has been created to promote area businesses through member referral. Our purpose is to create a resourceful alliance of business professionals who meet on a monthly basis to guide and direct business resources to our local community, channeling success through members.

www.southogdenba.com

National Association of Women Business Owners - SLC

The Salt Lake Chapter of NAWBO has been providing a strong voice and vision for women entrepreneurs and business owners since 1992, and previously to 1980 when the organization was known as UAWBO. We are one of 80 chapters nationwide affiliated with the National Association of Women Business Owners.

http://nawboslc.org/

Vest Pocket

Locally owned, independent businesses, scattered in “pockets” throughout our cities, lend a unique flavor, a “sense of place” and heart, to our neighborhoods. These are the small stores, cafes, and professional offices that offer personalized services and extraordinary products, and often bring renewed vitality to historic buildings.

Our neighborhood businesses are owned by “insiders” who care about their neighbors, employees, and the local issues that are important to a dynamic, textured community and sustainable local economy.

The Vest Pocket Business Coalition is an association of local business owners who want to protect the precious diversity of our neighborhoods and preserve the choice, texture, and vibrancy that make us what we are.

www.vestpocket.org/

Product Camp Utah

ProductCamp—also known as PCamp—is a user organized gathering focused on Product Marketing and Product Management topics. PCamp is one of many “unconferences” held throughout the world.

Although similar to traditional industry conferences, at ProductCamp there are no “attendees” because everyone participates in some manner. Some participants will present while others will lead a roundtable discussion. Some will contribute simply by sharing their experiences and others by helping with logistics, securing sponsorships, setting up Wi-Fi, etc.

PCamp is a self-organizing collaborative event that is rewarding, fun and a totally cool experience!

http://pcamputah.org/

Gangplank Utah

We believe creativity is fostered when individuals are gathered together in a low-key, informal setting. Located in a fabulous old house on the campus of the University of Utah, we have created an open environment where individuals can just drop in and surround themselves with those who share the same collaborative entrepreneurial spirit. We are “breaking down the walls” both figuratively and literally.

http://gangplankut.org/

Evo - Womens Social Media Evolution

Evo is a Utah conference that blends workshops, networking, parties and the wind-in-your-hair relaxation that can only be found by spending summertime in the mountains. It’s for Women bloggers, businesses, and social media junkies of all levels. It involves hands-on tutorials and workshops, thoughtful discussions and keynote panels. Network and party with the friends and brands you love.

http://evoconference.com/

Ignite Salt Lake

“Enlighten us, but make it quick” is the slogan of Ignite–a community event celebrating the passion and creativity of geek culture, sponsored by O’Reilly Media. Ignite events showcase a series of speakers who, in rapid succession, give five-minute talks on whatever ignites their passion.

The format is half the fun with Ignite–speakers are allowed 20 slides that auto-forward every 15 seconds, whether they’re ready or not. Organized by volunteers in the local community and presented free of charge to their communities, Ignite talks range from starting your own role playing game, to the rules of roller derby, to quitting drinking bottled water

www.ignitesaltlake.com/ignite/index.cfm/about/

Utah Student 25

The Utah Student 25 awards program recognizes the top student-founded businesses in Utah, encouraging growth and interaction with Utah’s renowned entrepreneurial community. The program helps winners better publicize their achievement, while encouraging economic growth and job creation in the state.

www.utahstudent25.com

NorthFront SBDC Tech Launch

The objective of the TechLaunch program is to help owners of new technology companies Bridge the “Technician to CEO” Gap. TechLaunch is a service funded by a grant through the SBA and managed by the Davis Applied Technology College SBDC at the NorthFront Business Resource Center in Kaysville Utah. TechLaunch does not charge fees for its consulting services, and will take no equity ownership in a business.

www.nftechlaunch.org/

Startup Ogden

Startup Ogden is a entrepreneur program in Ogden consisting of funding, community, and a historic startup building. We have a beautiful three-story building in downtown Ogden for startups, classes, and co-working space. The city of Ogden was awarded a million dollar grant, part of which will be used to fund mobile app startups each year in the mobile apps lab in downtown Ogden. Above all, Startup Ogden is a community of tech startups. Startup Ogden is dedicated to giving back. Jobs are created and classes are offered to the public.

www.startupogden.com/

Hack Ogden

Hack Ogden is a weekly co-working meetup for the Ogden tech community where we’ll meet, work, and interact. Hack Ogden happens every Wednesday from Noon – 7pm at Grounds for Coffee located on Historic 25th St. in downtown Ogden.

www.hackogden.org/