Wasatch Innovation Network launches

A coalition of public and private-sector organizations from across Utah have announced the launch of a statewide multi-industry initiative to promote research, development and commercialization with the goal of developing Utah as a global innovation economy. The new organization, called the Wasatch Innovation Network (WIN), is a nonprofit that will promote Utah as an international leader in innovation, technology transfer, manufacturing and marketing, as well as offer support services to businesses throughout the state, the organization said.

“There are many moving parts in any innovation ecosystem and the time is right to connect the whole Wasatch Front,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance, in announcing the new initiative at a press conference hosted with TechBuzz News and Colliers International. “We hear leaders talk more and more about Utah becoming the ‘Crossroads of the World’ and an important way we will achieve this is by developing a best-in-class innovation economy. Our collective goal with the Wasatch Innovation Network is to begin connecting laterally in a way that promotes innovation, creates commercialization, introduces new possibilities and attracts talent that increases our national leadership.”

Representatives of Utah-based public- and private-sector organizations met earlier this month in the offices of Colliers International in Salt Lake City to announce the formation of the Wasatch Innovation Network, a statewide multi-industry initiative to promote research, development and commercialization with the goal of developing Utah as a global innovation economy. Photo courtesy of TechBuzz, a founding partner of the new organization.

The Wasatch Innovation Network will connect industry to capital, startup to the incumbent and academia to market, with the purpose of creating a team of teams to scale out Utah’s innovation ecosystem, the announcement said.

The organization will provide services that include:

• Policy development and government relations.

• National and international marketing of Utah as a leader in innovation, technology transfer and ever-expanding opportunity for investment.

• Public communications support for innovation R&D and commercialization.

• Support for start-ups that includes mentoring, network development, assistance with capitalization, national and international engagement and technology transfer from universities.

• Regular meetings for organizational development, member needs and interests and networking opportunities.

• Strategic coordination among government, state universities and chambers of commerce — all WIN partners.

• Industry-specific committees in areas including aerospace, agriculture, artificial intelligence, biomedical, computer hardware/software development, cybersecurity, energy, engineering, environmental sciences, healthcare, human potential, infrastructure, Internet of Things, and transportation.

“The Wasatch Innovation Network will bring together leaders and institutions to drive innovation across silos to broaden economic appeal and commercialization. The new organization plans to focus on four cardinal values around mentorship, growth, innovation, and acceleration to drive results for each participating group,” the group said.

The network will also help craft a unified vision for the entrepreneurial ecosystem as there are key developments happening in Utah around innovation such as the Point of the Mountain and Falcon Hill Aerospace Research Park. The Wasatch Innovation Network will have a voice in these developments and support smart innovation policy.

“The founding values and purpose of the Wasatch Innovation Network — to connect and expand opportunities for communities and organizations through strong partnership — align perfectly with WFRC’s mission,” said Andrew Gruber, Wasatch Front Regional Council executive director. “Through the Wasatch Choice Regional Vision, which is built on a foundation of partnerships, we strive to improve quality of life along the Wasatch Front, by coordinating the location of well-planned housing, educational, workplace and recreational opportunities with streets, transit and trails. The Wasatch Innovation Network will help to enhance and strengthen these connections across the Wasatch Front.”

“The Wasatch Innovation Network will be a collaborative tool to help strengthen and build competitive businesses along the Wasatch Front,” said Jay Francis, president and CEO of the South Valley Chamber. “Utah businesses have proven time and time again that by working together and sharing strengths and insights makes everyone stronger and more successful. The term ‘Network’ really says it all, and as our businesses come together and network across city and county boundaries we will once again be a standard for innovation for other states to follow.”

Founding partners of the Wasatch Innovation Network include Clarke Capital Partners, Colliers International, Davis Chamber of Commerce, EDCUtah, Envision Utah, FatPipe, Gardner Cos., the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, Nomi Health, Northrop Grumman, Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce, Owlet, Point of the Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Provo City, Salt Lake City, South Valley Chamber, Spiff, TechBuzz News, Utah Valley University, University of Utah Office of the President, Wasatch Front Regional Council, Weber State University and Women Tech Council.