New nonprofit will aid tech and startup companies

A pair of organizations are joining forces – through a new nonprofit – to better serve Utah’s startup and tech community. Silicon Slopes and Beehive Startups made the announcement last week. Silicon Slopes will focus exclusively on the state’s tech community, while Beehive Startups will focus on early-stage startups and entrepreneurship. Clint Betts, founder of Beehive Startups, will serve as executive director of the new organization.

A pair of organizations are joining forces – through a new nonprofit – to better serve Utah’s startup and tech community.

Silicon Slopes and Beehive Startups made the announcement last week. Silicon Slopes will focus exclusively on the state’s tech community, while Beehive Startups will focus on early-stage startups and entrepreneurship. Clint Betts, founder of Beehive Startups, will serve as executive director of the new organization.

The two brands said the organization will “combine the efforts and resources of these two well-established and respected brands to expand the reach and influence of Utah’s startup and tech community.”

“We started Silicon Slopes over a decade ago with others in the tech community as a nonprofit branding initiative to help attract talent, capital and business to the state,” said Josh James, founder and chief executive officer of Domo. “If you look at the activity that’s been going on in Utah over the past few years, it’s clear that we have a strong tech economy and that there’s never been a better time to be an entrepreneur here.

“The traction Clint has achieved with Beehive Startups in such a short amount of time is truly impressive and a testament to the energy of Utah’s entrepreneurial spirit and success across all sectors. This new organization announced today is designed to harness that energy and the participation of tech and startup leaders in taking our community to the next level.”

The founding members of the organization’s executive board are James; Brad Rencher, senior vice president at Adobe; Dave Elkington, founder and chief executive officer of InsideSales.com; Carine Clark, former chief marketing officer at Symantec and chief executive officer of MartizCX; Aaron Skonnard, co-founder and CEO of Pluralsight; Ryan Smith, co-founder and CEO of Qualtrics; and Todd Pedersen, founder and CEO of Vivint.

One of the organization’s first activities is the Silicon Slopes Summit, set for Jan. 19-20 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. It is being promoted as an event “designed to give all members of Utah’s booming technology industry the opportunity to learn from and network with the leading minds, innovators and experts in technology.” It will feature keynote presentations, workshops, a startup competition, community hero awards, and a closing concert. The event will feature multiple tracks in the areas of entrepreneurship, technology, marketing, product design and sales.

The summit will coincide with the Sundance Film Festival, providing additional benefits for speakers and attendees traveling from outside the state, the organization said.

The organization will also soon be announcing an advisory board and a number of small committees focused on addressing specific issues and improving areas within Utah’s startup and tech community.

The organization plans to focus on learning, connecting and serving the community through various programs and initiatives.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to build upon the Silicon Slopes brand that many community leaders have created over the past 10 years,” Betts said. “By combining that brand and its resources with the focus and community that Beehive Startups brings, we can continue to grow Utah’s startup and tech ecosystem into something truly special.

“We believe a community is at its best when service and inclusiveness are central to its mission. That belief will be what guides this organization. We hope to build something here that accurately represents and is fundamentally owned by every entrepreneur in Utah. I can’t wait to get started.”