Lehi based, Silicon
Slopes, a nonprofit organization empowering Utah’s startup and tech community,
and The Utah Technology Council (UTC), a professional association for high
tech, clean tech, and life science
companies, have joined forces and will operate under the same umbrella to
better serve Utah’s startup and tech community, according to the UTC.
“Silicon Slopes
couldn’t be more thrilled to unite with UTC to continue serving Utah’s startup
and tech community,” said Clint Betts, Silicon Slopes co-founder, and executive director. “We’re committed to
continuing the rich heritage of UTC and view this as a marriage of equals.”
Betts said the merger,
which was announced on March 27, was made possible thanks to the leadership of
UTC’s executive committee and its outgoing president and CEO, John Knotwell.
“John is a remarkable leader who truly puts what’s best for our community above
everything else,” he said. “This deal wouldn’t have happened, and Silicon
Slopes wouldn’t be what it is today without John and UTC’s incredible
leadership.” The merger is effective immediately.
“These two
organizations are locking arms and uniting the tech community and making it
stronger,” said Betts. Silicon Slopes and UTC are both nonprofits being a 501
(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) respectively and each organization has a different focus
and agenda. UTC focuses on public policy
and advocacy and Silicon Slopes focuses on education and is the “megaphone” and engine that supports the tech community.
The Silicon Slopes
organization will continue to empower Utah’s startup and tech community to
learn, connect, and serve in order to make entrepreneurship and opportunity in
Silicon Slopes open and accessible to all. The UTC organization will become the
voice of Silicon Slopes on public policy, advocacy, and government relations.
“Our community’s collective voice will only be magnified and strengthened with
these two organizations united under the same leadership and mission,” Betts
said.
Over the years both
organizations have shared board members and have a similar vision for the tech
community and this merger seems very natural, he continues. Betts will assume
the role of executive director on behalf of both entities. Silicon Slopes will
remain headquartered in Lehi and UTC, which currently has an office in Draper,
will eventually move to the Kiln offices in Salt Lake City.
“We will be keeping an
eye on issues that impact the tech and business community, like the proposed HB
441 sales tax bill (which will require businesses to add a state tax on
services). That bill has been tabled for now but will be revisited in June,” he
said.
Carine Clark, the
current CEO at Banyan, has been appointed the new chair of UTC. Clark also
serves on the board of Silicon Slopes.
“Years ago, UTC plowed
new ground in Utah, and it has blossomed into the fastest growing tech scene in
America,” said Knotwell. “I’m proud of our history and even more proud to have
a small part in bringing these two remarkable organizations together, uniting
our efforts to build the strongest, most inclusive and most connected
innovation community in the country.”
“I’m excited to see the
rich legacy of UTC continue and our community strengthened by this coming
together,” said Clark. “It’s an amazing achievement to have these two
organizations united and continually striving to make Utah the best place to
live, work, and play.”
More than 300,000
people now work in tech in Utah. No industry is growing at a faster pace. By
uniting UTC and Silicon Slopes, all members of the tech industry can now lock
arms to address the unprecedented growth.
“We are so excited for these two organizations
to be coming together,” said outgoing UTC chair, Kathryn Murphy. “This truly is
the best of both worlds and it will benefit our growing technology community.
We are thrilled to join forces and lead with one voice.”