Nucleus Announces Student Day & Strategic Open at Utah Tech Week
The Nucleus Institute, Utah’s central engine for innovation, is a proud partner of Utah Tech Week coming this February (Feb 2-7, 2026) to the Wasatch Front. Alongside all the awesome events and festivities of Utah Tech Week, Nucleus will host two signature events during, each designed to bring people closer to how innovation actually happens in Utah’s tech ecosystem.
From strategic decision-making at the highest levels of tech and research commercialization to hands-on career pathways for students entering the workforce, Nucleus’s Utah Tech Week programming connects insight to action, and ambition to opportunity.
Utah Tech Week Strategic Open: How Innovation Leaders Think
As part of Utah Tech Week, Nucleus is hosting the Strategic Open, a one-of-a-kind event that brings strategy to life.
Now’s your chance to see a chess champion take on multiple players at once, and maybe even try your hand at a game or two.
Anchored by a live simultaneous chess exhibition, the Strategic Open pairs deliberate decision-making on the board with short, high-impact panels featuring Utah’s most effective innovation engines. Together, they explore how leaders think, plan, and build for long-term impact in complex, fast-moving environments.
Chess serves as both a visual and conceptual throughline—illustrating how foresight, adaptability, and discipline translate from game theory to real-world innovation.
Event Details
Date: February 3, 2026
Location: 42 Future Way, Draper, UT
What to Expect
Attendees will gain insight into:
How research is translated into commercial success through strategic decision-making
The realities of building and scaling complex technology ventures
The parallels between competitive strategy and innovation leadership, made tangible through live play and expert discussion
Who Should Attend
The Strategic Open is designed for:
Founders and startup operators
Researchers and commercialization leaders
Investors and ecosystem partners
Students and professionals curious about how innovation decisions are made
No chess experience is required. Whether you come to watch, listen, play, or simply explore, this event invites participation at every level.
Utah Tech Week Student Day
Utah Tech Week Student Day is back again this year! In partnership with an amazing group of Utah-based student-funds, Nucleus will provide a student-focused experience built to help emerging talent navigate the path into Utah’s technology and innovation economy.
Designed solely for students, this event brings together employers, mentors, and educators to deliver practical tools, real-world insight, and direct access to opportunity.
Event Details
Date: February 6, 2026
Location: 42 Future Way, Draper, UT
What to Expect
Students will have access to:
Hands-on workshops focused on real-world, career-ready skills
Recruiting tools and strategies for interviews and applications
Company showcases highlighting internships and early-career roles at Utah tech firms
Mentorship sessions and internship guidance
Panel discussions with industry leaders on navigating and growing a tech career
A free professional headshot station
A short-form pitch competition, with prizes
Who Should Attend
Student Day is ideal for:
Undergraduate and graduate students
Students exploring careers in technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, or research
Those seeking internships, entry-level roles, or mentorship within Utah’s tech ecosystem
Looking Ahead
Together, these events reflect the strength and diversity of Utah’s innovation ecosystem—from students entering the workforce to leaders shaping the future of technology, research, and commercialization.
Registration details, speaker announcements, and full agendas will be released soon.
Stay tuned for updates and join us during Utah Tech Week as we connect strategy, talent, and opportunity across the state.