UTC, Silicon Slopes throw in together to push tech industry

By Brice Wallace 

Utah’s most prominent technology organizations will be speaking with a unified voice.

The Utah Technology Council and Silicon Slopes announced last week that they would unite the state’s startup and tech community. Among the changes, UTC’s president and CEO, John Knotwell, will leave those positions, and Clint Betts, executive director at Silicon Slopes, adds executive director of UTC to his duties.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

“Silicon Slopes couldn’t be more thrilled to unite with UTC to continue serving Utah’s startup and tech community,” said Betts, who also is a Silicon Slopes co-founder. “We’re committed to continuing the rich heritage of UTC and view this as a marriage of equals.”

Knotwell took over as UTC’s president and CEO in September 2017, succeeding Richard Nelson, who had served in those positions for 18 years, including a time when UTC was known as the Utah Information Technology Association (UITA). Knotwell, a resident of Herriman, has been in the Utah Legislature since 2013, serving in the House of Representatives.

“Today’s news was made possible thanks to the leadership of UTC’s executive committee and its outgoing president and CEO, John Knotwell. John is a remarkable leader who truly puts what’s best for our community above everything else. This deal wouldn’t have happened and Silicon Slopes wouldn’t be what it is today without John and UTC’s incredible leadership.”

The changes announced last week include UTC becoming “the voice” of Silicon Slopes on public policy, advocacy and government relations. UTC is a 501(c)(6) entity, which allows it to be involved in a wide range of lobbying. Silicon Slopes is a 501(c)(3), which has heavy restrictions regarding lobbying and political activities.

“The UTC organization and its stellar legacy of public policy, advocacy and world-class events will continue to thrive within the Silicon Slopes ecosystem. … Our community’s collective voice will only be magnified and strengthened with these two organizations united under the same leadership and mission,” the organizations said in a joint news release last week.

“Years ago, UTC plowed new ground in Utah and it has blossomed into the fastest-growing tech scene in America,” Knotwell said. “I’m proud of our history and even more proud to have a small part in bringing these two remarkable organizations together, uniting our efforts to build the strongest, most inclusive and most connected innovation community in the country.”

Another change announced last week is that Carine Clark has been appointed the new chair of UTC, succeeding Kathryn Murphy. CEO of Banyan, Clark is a member of the Silicon Slopes’ executive board.

“I’m excited to see the rich legacy of UTC continue and our community strengthened by this coming-together,” Clark said. “It’s an amazing achievement to have these two organizations united and continually striving to make Utah the best place to live, work and play.”

“We are so excited for these two organizations to be coming together,” Murphy said. “This truly is the best of both and it will benefit our growing technology community. We are thrilled to join forces and lead with one voice.”

Utah has more than 6,500 technology companies and more than 300,000 people working in the industry.

“No industry is growing at a faster pace,” the organizations said. “By uniting UTC and Silicon Slopes, all members of the tech industry now have the ability to lock arms to address the unprecedented growth and challenges that come from the type of success we’ve managed to achieve.”

While the two organizations will share a mission and leadership, they will continue to be operated separately and offer their own programming and events, at least for now. Silicon Slopes will remain based at 2600 W. Executive Parkway, Suite 140, Lehi. UTC, currently at 13693 S. 200 W., Draper, will be moved to a yet-to-be selected location in downtown Salt Lake City, perhaps by summer, Betts said.

Each organization has undergone changes over the years. Silicon Slopes as a marketing concept has been around for about a dozen years. In late 2016, it joined with Beehive Startups, with Silicon Slopes focusing exclusively on the state’s tech community and Beehive Startups concentrating on early-stage startups and entrepreneurship. Betts also founded Beehive Startups. The Utah Information Technology Association in 2006 merged with the Utah Life Science Association to become the Utah Technology Council. The life sciences element of the organization split from UTC and was launched as BioUtah in 2012.{/mprestriction}