Silicon Slopes to kick off 2025 business summit at Utah Valley University next week
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- The Utah Valley University logo is shown on a sign outside of the Orem campus’ Keller Building on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
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- Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at the Silicon Slopes summit in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
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- Vehicles are shown in the parking lot below the UCCU Events Center on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
Business owners, entrepreneurs and startup company leaders looking to amass beneficial information will come together next week for the ninth Silicon Slopes Summit.
The four-day event kicks off Tuesday and runs through Friday.
The nonprofit will hold the first two days of the summit on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, while the final two days will be held in Salt Lake City.
It marks the first time that Silicon Slopes has chosen a university to host the event.
“UVU is the perfect location, boasting a vibrant tech community and a strong commitment to innovation,” said Clint Betts, CEO of Silicon Slopes, in a press release. “We’re eager to showcase the incredible talent and potential that thrive within the Silicon Slopes ecosystem.”
In another first, the 2025 Summit is free for all Utah residents, though VIP tickets can be purchased for $95.
The summit is marked as Utah’s original and longest-running grassroots technology conference, supporting entrepreneurs, startups and leaders with essential resources and community, a press release stated. The idea is to provide information and resources to help build small businesses while also networking with more established entrepreneurs and potential investors.
Betts, who also is a UVU alum, said this year’s agenda will feature a diverse lineup of speakers delivering more thoughtful TED-style talks and presentations compared to previous years.
“We’re not just doing fireside chats and panels, although we have some incredible ones of those as well,” Betts said during a virtual press conference Monday.
Among a robust roster of speakers are Brigham Young University professor George Handley, who will discuss environmental stewardship and ways citizens can help preserve Utah’s unique environment.
Ben Hodson, CEO of JobNimbus, a Lehi-based construction management software company, will share a story of how the company raised over $300 billion in a recent fundraising event.
UVU President Astrid Tuminez will discuss the future of education and her life’s journey.
Speaking on the institution’s involvement in this year’s event, Tuminez called the summit an experience that creates synergy among thousands of people through ideas, inspiration, networking and funding.
“I am thrilled that Utah Valley University can host it,” she said in a statement. “UVU is ideally located in the heart of Utah’s innovation corridor and is ranked #1 in the country for producing the most homegrown entrepreneurs, making UVU and Silicon Slopes natural collaborators. The conference will help our own students with exposure to leaders, knowledge, and skills that will prepare them for the workforce.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox also will speak before the thousands of attendees during the summit.
Professional dancer and Orem native Allison Holker will return to Utah County as a celebrity guest speaker during the event.
“Her story is incredible, you’re going to wish you were there if you weren’t,” Betts said.
Holker’s talk looks to offer her personal account of entrepreneurship, perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity following the death of her husband, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, just two years ago.
Other keynote addresses and speakers will dive into discussions on how artificial intelligence is impacting health care, mastering the art of pitching startups to venture capital firms, and building technology companies that are attractive to potential acquirers.
Startups will have opportunities to shine as the summit will provide a hands-on Innovation Showcase highlighting the latest products and services from emerging companies.
“Startup Alley” will provide a space for entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to global investors, receive feedback and promote their ventures, and the annual “Slopes Serves” event has a goal of packing 1 million meals to feed Utahns, according to the release. Both will be held in Salt Lake City.
The summit first launched in 2017 but faced scheduling challenges and disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made attracting talent and experts more difficult. The obstacles even prompted a shift in the time of year when the summit is typically held.
With most pandemic restrictions long gone, the organization wanted to bring the summit back to its original January event dates, aligning near the time frame of the Sundance Film Festival.
In addition to the free admission, Silicon Slopes also is offering registration for college and university students at no-charge.
Plenary sessions of the summit in Orem will take place at the UCCU Center, while workshops and exhibit areas will be hosted in various locations across the campus at UVU.
Registration is required to attend. The full agenda can be found at siliconslopes.com/summit.
