U, EPIC Ventures partner to drive regional innovation forward – @theU

The College of Utah, one of many nation’s main analysis universities, and EPIC Ventures, a Salt Lake Metropolis based mostly early-stage enterprise capital agency, have partnered to launch College of Utah Ventures, Powered by EPIC. By combining the U’s innovation engine with EPIC’s in depth community, the partnership will catalyze progress for early-stage expertise corporations throughout numerous sectors, together with software program, well being and life sciences and monetary expertise.

“College of Utah Ventures represents a transformative alternative for each the college and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem,” stated Taylor Randall, president of the U. “By partnering with EPIC Ventures, we’re positioning ourselves to not solely foster groundbreaking innovation inside our establishment but additionally to drive important financial progress throughout the area.”

The fund is designed to leverage the U’s nearly $700 million in analysis funding and wealthy historical past of alumni founders with EPIC Ventures’ experience in scaling profitable companies. The U and EPIC have a historical past of collaborating, having  partnered in investing in and supporting the staff at Recursion Prescribed drugs, now a $2 billion publicly traded firm.

“Analysis shouldn’t be solely about innovation and fixing societal challenges however transitioning these discoveries into entry and financial growth. The enterprise fund is an element of a bigger VPR strategic plan to enhance our expertise switch course of on the U and to incorporate commercialization earlier into the analysis discovery pipeline,” stated Erin Rothwell, vp of analysis on the U.

The EPIC Fund and College of Utah partnership was facilitated by the U’s designated workplace for startups, the Utah Enterprise Hub, run by Jim Hotaling, affiliate vp for commercialization. Utah Enterprise Hub is designed to attach school entrepreneurs with consultants in enterprise, early-stage capital and a community of advisors to gas spin out corporations.

“The fund is considered as a serious milestone within the journey of the College of Utah to turn into a pacesetter within the innovation and commercialization area,” stated Hotaling. “The fund will present distinctive alternatives for college affiliated startups, school spinouts and exterior entrepreneurs looking for to capitalize on the strategic worth of the U’s sources and EPIC’s trade experience.

“This collaboration is extra than simply an funding fund—it’s a strategic initiative to empower entrepreneurs and rework concepts into impactful companies,” stated Nick Efstratis from EPIC Ventures. “We’re excited to work alongside the College of Utah to create an enduring legacy of innovation within the Intermountain West.” EPIC Ventures brings almost three many years of expertise to this partnership. The agency’s experience in early-stage investments can be instrumental in serving to College of Utah Ventures obtain its objectives.

“We’re thrilled concerning the launch of the College of Utah Fund, which is able to present one other essential layer of capital to gas the expansion of early-stage corporations. This initiative will considerably bolster the Utah Innovation Fund’s capability in driving commercialization efforts,” stated Jefferson Moss, managing director of Utah Innovation. “This collaboration is about extra than simply capital; it’s about constructing a complete ecosystem that fosters innovation, drives sustainable financial progress and cements Utah’s popularity as a pacesetter in translating tutorial analysis into real-world influence.”

Concerning the College of Utah

The College of Utah is the state’s flagship establishment of upper schooling, with 18 faculties and faculties, greater than 100 undergraduate and 90 graduate diploma applications and an enrollment of greater than 35,000 college students. It’s a member of the Affiliation of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 71 main analysis establishments. Lately ranked No. 1 Public College within the West by the Wall Avenue Journal, the U strives to be a mannequin public college in delivering unmatched worth in greater schooling and well being care whereas making social, financial and cultural contributions that enhance the standard of life all through the state, the nation and the world.

About Utah Enterprise Hub

Utah Enterprise Hub on the College of Utah serves as a central useful resource for innovation and startups, dedicated to supporting school, entrepreneurs, and buyers. By fostering collaboration and offering entry to important sources, the Hub drives the commercialization of groundbreaking applied sciences and contributes to the financial progress of Utah. Its essential objective is to cut back the activation power crucial for school to kind profitable enterprise backable corporations. 

About EPIC Ventures

Established in 1994 in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, EPIC Ventures is a number one enterprise capital agency specializing in early-stage expertise investments. With a concentrate on software-as-a-service, healthcare, biotech, safety, fintech, and future of labor sectors, EPIC has been on the forefront of tech investing because the web’s infancy. Led by a staff of seasoned buyers and operators, EPIC brings many years of operational and funding expertise to the desk. This distinctive mix of experience permits EPIC to supply extra than simply capital; they supply strategic steerage and trade connections which might be essential for startup success. EPIC’s spectacular monitor report contains a number of profitable acquisitions and IPOs, cementing their popularity as a priceless accomplice for formidable tech startups. Whereas deeply rooted in Utah’s thriving tech ecosystem, EPIC actively pursues funding alternatives throughout the USA.

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