One Utah Summit
One Utah Summit: The premier rural event where top leaders shape Utah’s future.
Join us at Southern Utah University,
Utah SBIR 101 Workshop
SBIR 101 Workshop
Learn about America’s Seed Fund, the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, and the Nucleus Grow’s services for small businesses interested in applying for this nondilutive funding.
Reference Group powered by Nucleus - featuring Scott Cutler of Health Equity
Scott has to have the most interesting career path of anyone I know! Outside of being an avid marathoner, skier, and biker!
From leadership roles at NYSE, to ebay, to StubHub, to StockX, and now Health Equity (Utah's 3rd largest public company) he has seen more than most.
This conversation around career design, relationship building, leadership, and missteps along the way will be fascinating! We'll also discuss how young people should prepare for a career in today's ever-changing business landscape.
We're grateful Scott will be joining us and big thanks to Tanner for sponsoring lunch. And Kiln for providing the location!
APEX Symposium 2025
Connect with prime defense contractors, the Department of Defense, and federal, state, and local agencies, including exclusive one-on-one time with representatives.
Research Summit: Research to Market Pipeline
The Office of Research is promoting opportunities to help USU’s cadre of high-achieving researchers continue their quest for discovery. To promote engagement around societally important research areas affecting Utah, the nation and world, the Office of Research will be hosting a series of Research Summits for researchers wanting to build relationships across campus on these key topic areas.
Research to Market Pipeline
Discover the future of innovation at the Research to Market Pipeline Summit. This event spotlights breakthrough technologies from Utah’s top small businesses and fosters connections among business leaders, investors, researchers, and policymakers. Join us to explore new opportunities, build partnerships, and drive solutions to today’s critical challenges.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Maverik Stadium Champions Club (3rd Floor)
3-5 p.m. | Light refreshments provided
Please note, this event is not open to USU students.
Program Highlights
Keynote Address: Utah’s legislative vision for higher education’s role in the commercialization of technologies.
Panel discussion: Strategies and resources for moving technologies into the marketplace, featuring leaders from:
Utah State University Tech Transfer Office
Nucleus Fund (formerly the Utah Innovation Fund)
Nucleus Grow (formerly The Utah Innovation Center)
Industry Pitch Competition: Utah-based small businesses will showcase their innovations and next-step needs to a panel of experts, competing for $1,000 first place and $500 second place prizes.
Venture Capital 101: A short presentation on VC funding.
Networking: Connect with business leaders, investors, faculty, and policymaker.
Utah SBIR 101 Workshop
SBIR 101 Workshop
Learn about America’s Seed Fund, the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, and the Nucleus Grow’s services for small businesses interested in applying for this nondilutive funding.
Women Tech Awards
We’re excited to introduce the 2025 Women Tech Award Finalists—a group of exceptional women who are visionaries, trailblazers, and all-around inspirations in tech, science, engineering and math.
These finalists are leading innovation, launching transformative technologies, growing companies, and creating lasting impact across every level of the tech industry. From executive leadership to emerging pioneers, they represent the strength, talent, and future of our technology ecosystem.
The Women Tech Awards is the premier recognition platform celebrating women making real contributions to the growth and innovation of the tech economy. This program elevates the visibility of women who are not only advancing technology—but inspiring the entire community along the way.
Congratulations to the 2025 Women Tech Award Finalists!
Congratulations to the 2025 Women Tech Award Finalists!
Amy McDonnell Neuroscientist, University of Utah
Brittney Vierra Formerly Director Data Science, Recursion Pharmaceuticals
Brooke Baker Head Data Engineering & Data Science, LVT
Charushila Samant Vice President, Goldman Sachs
Dolly Chitta PhD CEO, TekHolding
Emma Moss AI K-12 Program Director, Utah State Board of Edu. and Digital Teaching & Learning Specialist, Canyons School District
Evita Weagel CEO & Co-Founder, Eris Biotech
Heidi Barnett President Talent Acquisition, iSolved
Janlynn Robertson SVP Sr Business Relationship & Project Portfolio Manager, Zions Bancorporation
Kanika Gera Sr Product Manager, Adobe
Kathryn Armstrong Chief Science Officer, USANA Health Sciences
Kori Ann Edwards Chief Strategy Officer, 47G
Lauren Mason Carris Sr Product & Learning Strategist, Codingscape
Lynn Reichert Community & Innovation Manager, Utah STEM Action Center
Lynne Yocom Fiber Optics Director, Utah Dept of Transportation
Mary-Lou Smulders Chief Marketing Officer, Dedrone by Axon
Melanie Jordan EVP & Director Enterprise Retail Insights and Strategic Initiatives, Zions Bancorporation
Michaela Hatch Sr Scientist, Recursion Pharmaceuticals
Mou Nandi CEO & Co-Founder, Monere
Natalie Clark Vice President, Goldman Sachs
Shawnna DelHierro Chief Information Officer, SoundHound AI
Join us for a luncheon honoring this incredible group of leaders and their work. By doing so, you will help accelerate the impact of women in tech at all levels, and inspire the next generation of tech leaders.
Utah State of Innovation Conference
The Nucleus Institute Grow Team is excited to announce the inaugural State of Innovation Conference on October 2, 2025, at the Monson Center in Salt Lake City. This one-day event will bring together innovators, investors, and federal and local partners to explore pathways and funding opportunities that support breakthrough technologies.
Panel discussions will highlight:
Utah companies leveraging federal SBIR/STTR funding
Best practices for commercialization and capital access
Utah’s growing role in the national innovation landscape
The role of state and local policy, venture capitalists, and angel investors in shaping Utah’s innovation economy
AUTM Western Region Meeting
Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned tech transfer professional, the 2025 Western Region Meeting in Salt Lake City is your gateway to innovation and growth. Join us for an engaging experience filled with thought-provoking presentations, cutting-edge trends, and invaluable networking opportunities—all in a dynamic and collaborative setting.
MarketEdge Fall 2025 Launch
The Nucleus MarketEdge is designed for professors, PhDs, and postdocs in Utah’s higher education system who are ready to explore the path from research to real-world impact. This virtual, cohort-based program gives innovators the structure, mentorship, and connections they need to navigate commercialization and startup formation with confidence.
Our Fall 2025 application window has closed.
Please register for our Winter 2026 Cohort HERE
Reference Group powered by Nucleus - featuring Andy Yakulis of Vector
Excited to have Andy join us! A true hero and wonderful person building a monster business! Vector recently completed a $61M Series A and is on the path to becoming the drone platform of choice for the US Military.
Andy Yakulis serves as the CEO and co-founder of Vector, the nation’s Modern Warfare-as-a-Service Provider. A seasoned leader with 18 years of service as an Army Officer and Special Operations Commander, Andy has built a career at the intersection of defense technology, innovation, and private investment, bridging advanced solutions with U.S. national security needs.
Throughout his military career, Andy led tactical combat operations and worked to integrate cutting-edge technology into the Department of Defense. He also collaborated with private capital to drive investments in defense technology. As a former pilot-in-command and air mission commander, he holds the FAA’s highest commercial aviation rating, the Helicopter Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification, with extensive experience piloting both military and civilian aircraft.
Andy earned a Master of Science in Management as a Sloan Fellow at Stanford Graduate School of Business, focusing on technology innovation and venture capital. He also co-founded the health tech startup Medeloop.ai, scaling operations to secure initial customers and raised millions in venture funding.
Additionally, he holds a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, where he represented the U.S. Army in an elite international officer program. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Science, Andy was a Division I lacrosse athlete and a four-year varsity letterman.
Big thanks to JP Morgan for sponsoring lunch.
Startup Therapy
Launching a startup is as personal as it is professional. StartupTherapy™ is a 90-minute webinar designed by Nicole Toomey Davis, Founder and CEO of Enclavix, to help founders navigate the emotional and structural challenges that make or break new ventures.
Participants will learn how to build resilient founding teams, create a healthy startup culture, and understand the power dynamics that shape early companies. The session will also cover practical tools for dividing equity fairly, managing the cap table, and having the tough conversations that set startups up for long-term success.
Walk away with frameworks, insights, and free resources to strengthen your company from the inside out.
National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR Hybrid Workshop
Interested in non-dilutive R&D funding for your technology? Join us for a hands-on workshop focused on the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) SBIR/STTR programs, which offer broad funding opportunities for early-stage innovation.
This in-person and virtual session will provide actionable guidance to help small businesses prepare competitive NSF proposals ahead of the next submission deadline on November 5, 2025. Attendees will learn best practices, proposal tips, and common pitfalls.
What to Expect:
NSF-specific do’s, don’ts, and updated proposal guidelines
Practical exercises using sample documents
Tips for new and experienced applicants
Overview of the Nucleus Grow's resources and support
There is no cost to attend. Free parking and food for in-person attendees.
We look forward to helping you move your innovation forward!
A Zoom link will be emailed from grow@nucleusutah.org to virtual attendees one day before the event.
Kinect Capital Investors Choice Conference
Join us for the 42nd Annual Kinect Capital Investors Choice Conference — an all-day event on September 17th at the stunning Zions Technology Center in Midvale, Utah.
Pitches, Panels & Highlights:
Startup Pitches:
30+ founders delivering 2-minute pitches, with links to full 10-minute presentations available.
Panels:
ICON Award Honorees and Panel:
Steve Chen – YouTube cofounder (accepting award virtually)
Judy Robinett – Author, TEDx speaker, Fortune 500 exec
Paul Ahlstrom – Investor, serial entrepreneur, author of Nail it Then Scale It
Scott Anderson – CEO of Zions Bank for 26 years
Brad Bertoch – 35 years as CEO of the Wayne Brown Institute, helping startups secure and exit $30B+
Olympic Panel Guests:
Peter Vidmar – 2x Olympic Hall of Fame: 2 Golds, 1 Silver
Bill Schuffenhauer – 3x Olympian: Silver Medalist
Plus 2–3 more Olympians TBA
WeROC Panel:
Jolene Anderson: Vector Point Ventures & Inmedix Inc
Gabriele Niederauer: Freyya
Plus more TBA
Utah Energy Week
Utah Energy Week highlights interdisciplinary research, innovation, policy, and commercialization of energy related technologies and initiatives. Hosted by the University of Utah
Utah Biomedical Engineering Conference (UBEC)
The Utah Biomedical Engineering Conference (UBEC) was established 20 years ago as an effort to support and celebrate biomedical engineering students.
Reference Group powered by Nucleus - featuring Allyse Jackson
Allyse Jackson didn't plan on being an entrepreneur but when her family was in a pinch she rolled up her sleeves and got to work. She made a list of all the things she was good at, sent a post out to her neighborhood Facebook group, and Beehive Meals was born and off to the races!
Excited to explore her journey to building a monster focused on helping busy families eat delicious and nutritious meals in their own home.
Big thanks to our title partner - The Nucleus Institute - UIF has rebranded and we're pumped about what they're building!
Lunch will be provided by Kajae!
Utah SBIR 101 Workshop
SBIR 101 Workshop
Learn about America’s Seed Fund, the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, and the Nucleus Grow’s services for small businesses interested in applying for this nondilutive funding.