/ WELCOME TO THE STARTUP CAPITAL OF THE WORLD /

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The Startup State Initiative highlights what already exists in Utah and elevates it to new heights. It isn’t just about Utah; it’s about setting a new global standard for innovation and entrepreneurship.

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About the Initiative
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UTAH's thriving ecosystem

Be a part of Utah’s thriving startup scene. Start, grow, and build your business in the Startup Capital of the World.

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Starting a Business

New Business Steps
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Grow Your Business

Explore Resources
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Get Funding

Funding Opportunities
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Build Connections

Find Events
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Get Funding

Kickstart your business idea with the Get Started: Business Idea Challenge! Created by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) in partnership with the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah, this challenge empowers Utahns to validate their early-stage ideas in a supportive, collaborative environment. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your concept, this milestone grant program offers the perfect platform to share your vision with peers, entrepreneurs, and community members—without the stress of a traditional pitch competition.

Kickstart your business idea with the Get Started: Business Idea Challenge!

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Events

Stay connected with Utah's vibrant entrepreneurial community. Explore and attend upcoming Startup State events near you.
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Journey

Start your business journey here! Learn about tools, resources, and guides that help you succeed at every stage of your business.

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Resources

Utah supports entrepreneurs! Access a wide range of resources to build, grow, and scale your business.

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    Startup State logo white

    UTAH: THE STARTUP STATE

    The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity Startup State Initiative celebrates, inspires, and empowers Utah entrepreneurs and those who support them. It consists of a statewide entrepreneurship brand and business resource portal being developed on this site. This collaborative initiative supports entrepreneurs throughout the lifecycle of their business and encourages them to start in Utah.
    Salt Lake City at night

    Utah’s Startup Community

    Utah provides fertile soil for modern innovators and entrepreneurs. As the country’s fastest-growing state, with a well-educated workforce and thriving economy, Utah’s mountains, valleys, deserts, and plateaus provide the perfect environment to nourish and champion the startup and entrepreneurial spirit.

    The state’s growth, unparalleled quality of life, government support for small businesses, and access to startup networks and capital attract doers and innovative thinkers to Utah’s communities.

    In January 2023, WalletHub named Utah the No. 1 best state to start a business. Utah is the startup state.

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    Utah’s Startup State Initiative Team

    In January 2023, Gov. Spencer Cox named Brad Bonham as the state’s first entrepreneur-in-residence to advise him and his administration on entrepreneurship education, culture, and resources. Bonham and the GOEO team work to enhance the state’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

    This website and its resources are part of the team’s efforts to promote and amplify an already strong entrepreneurship community and elevate statewide conversations, introductions, and resources.

    Recent Podcast Episode

    Connect Us

    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Another round of the Get Started: Business Idea Challenge! Congratulations to the entrepreneurs who earned funding to reach their next milestone. 💪 Sarah Rinderknecht \| A La Card \| www.alacard.store Benton Carter \| AIBridge Tech Solutions, LLC Amber Toler \| Dyno Outfitters, Inc. \| www.utahviaferrata.com Rolando Quintana \| FeedFreed \| feedfreed.app Ammon Frank \| Fueld Brantley Brumley, RN \| MVP Launcher Aria Conran \| Scrapp'd Grady Call \| TechConnect Learn more about their stories here: https://lnkd.in/g4eUamg5 Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute Tim Cooley
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    New "Business Elevated" podcast episode. Emily Ashby, program manager for Utah’s Own, joined this week's podcast and shared her passion for local industries with Utah’s Own, a state-branded program promoting Utah’s agriculture and food business. Ashby emphasizes the economic impact of supporting local businesses, noting that increasing local spending by just 10% could retain an additional $1.3 billion annually within Utah’s economy. https://lnkd.in/g\_b3W5eZ
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Last month, GOEO participated in the BIO International Convention in Boston. The Utah delegation included representatives from the University of Utah, World Trade Center Utah \(WTC Utah\), Utah Inland Port Authority, The Point Utah, BioUtah, and others. We had a productive time meeting with various companies and groups.
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Tune in to the latest episode of “Behind the Win” featuring Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. Codella joins LSI to discuss Utah’s smart growth strategy, innovation economy, and what makes the state a magnet for top talent and business investment. https://lnkd.in/gj4KNbCs
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Every business needs a solid elevator pitch. Why? Because you never know when you’ll meet your next investor or customer! Watch Mark Pittman with Blyncsy nail his 💪 Need help crafting yours? Head to startup.utah.gov for tools, tips, and a list of upcoming pitch competitions where you can practice.
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    A 2025 Stanford study ranks the University of Utah second in the nation for producing unicorn startups. The study found that formal education, especially advanced degrees, strongly predicts unicorn success. Utah’s ranking reflects its thriving startup culture, top-ranked entrepreneurship programs, and unique initiatives like the Master of Business Creation. With over 330 companies launched by the University of Utah technologies, and national recognition for innovation, Utah is turning big ideas into billion-dollar companies. https://lnkd.in/geq\_vY54
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Salt Lake City International Airport has been ranked among the Top 10 airports in the U.S. by The Washington Post. This airport provides a world-class travel experience, attracting businesses, supporting tourism, and keeping Utah globally competitive. 
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    This week, "Business Elevated" hosted Chris Baird, CEO of OptConnect. The company provides wireless solutions for a wide range of unattended machines like kiosks and digital signage — meeting growing demand as major retailers began requiring vendors to bring their internet solutions. https://lnkd.in/gHfwNWeK
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Business Facilities Magazine released its 21st annual top metro rankings, naming Ogden-Clearfield and Salt Lake City among the top five cities with the best business climates. Salt Lake City is also among the top five emerging life sciences markets. https://lnkd.in/ed-k3EEm
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
    Utah has been ranked No. 4 in the nation for summer road trips by WalletHub. The report analyzed all 50 states based on cost, safety, and attractions. Utah is in the top 10 for safety and things to do, thanks to our scenic highways, five national parks, and welcoming small towns. Whether for tourism, photography, or economic development, Utah’s highways lead to unforgettable opportunities. https://lnkd.in/gRnaAruY

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    Need some money to get your idea off the ground? Looking for a collaborative community of like-minded entrepreneurs? Consider subscribing to the Startup State Initiative newsletter so you can receive monthly updates on resources, tips, events, and more.