The University of Utah (U) and EPIC Ventures, a Salt Lake City-based venture capital firm, have joined forces to establish a strategic partnership that will drive innovation and economic growth throughout the Mountain West region.
The University of Utah, a world-renowned research institution, and EPIC Ventures, a prominent early-stage venture capital firm, have announced a transformative partnership aimed at fostering innovation and spurring economic development within the Mountain West region. This strategic alliance leverages the strengths of both organizations to create a vibrant ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses.
The University of Utah and EPIC Ventures Forge Partnership to Accelerate Innovation in the Mountain West
The cornerstone of the partnership is the establishment of a dedicated Research and Innovation Hub at the U's Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a collaborative space where faculty, researchers, students, and industry partners converge to ideate, develop, and commercialize groundbreaking technologies.
EPIC Ventures brings a wealth of expertise in early-stage investing and business development to the partnership. The firm will provide mentorship, guidance, and seed funding to promising startups emerging from the U's research labs. This critical support will accelerate the commercialization process and increase the likelihood of successful ventures.
The partnership also includes the launch of innovative educational programs designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the innovation economy. The U's Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute will offer specialized courses focused on entrepreneurship, venture capital, and technology commercialization.
Beyond supporting startups, the partnership seeks to attract investment and create jobs throughout the Mountain West region. EPIC Ventures' presence in Salt Lake City, combined with the U's global reach, will facilitate connections with investors and industry leaders from around the world.
The partnership is deeply committed to engaging with the broader community. Joint initiatives such as hackathons, pitch competitions, and workshops will foster collaboration, stimulate idea generation, and connect entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed.
The U's Technology Transfer Office (TTO) will play a vital role in the partnership, facilitating the transfer of research成果s from the lab to the marketplace. The TTO will work closely with EPIC Ventures to identify promising technologies and assist in the formation of spin-out companies.
The partnership spans across multiple disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of innovation. It encompasses fields such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and materials science, ensuring a broad impact on the Mountain West's economic growth.
The U and EPIC Ventures believe that this partnership will have a transformative long-term impact on the region. By fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and attracting investment, the alliance will contribute to the creation of a vibrant, sustainable, and prosperous economy in the Mountain West.
The partnership between the University of Utah and EPIC Ventures is a bold and visionary initiative that will drive innovation, spur economic growth, and create opportunities for the Mountain West region. By connecting world-class research with entrepreneurial expertise, the partnership will fuel the next generation of innovation leaders and shape the future of the Mountain West economy.
