Utah Tech Spotlight

Utah Tech Spotlight Events

Want to be part of the team? Looking for Creative/Graphic/Web design

  • Posted by Steve Spencer

Article posted on Jun 27

Everyone, please forgive me for diverging a bit for a moment from spotlighting Utah…

I am looking to bring someone on immediately in a full time position as a Creative/Graphics/Wed design position.  The ability to do Creative design for websites, and some HTML is a must.  Flash skills are a huge plus.

Want to be part of a 50 person company dedicated to web strategies, mobile marketing, social media, etc?  Want to work for a company that pays 100% of your insurance, and gives you 4 weeks paid vacationa  year, AND tries to get you to actually use it??  Contact me.

Okay, back to promoting Utah and Utah companies :)

Utah Innovation Awards transcript

  • Posted by Steve Spencer

Article posted on Jun 27

This is a transcript for the video of the Utah Innovation Awards.

>> The things that are here are at the cutting edge of what’s going on where it’s just gone from being a research product from research to something that’s more in the development of productization stages. And so it’s really exciting because you can see a lot of the new things that are just coming out.
[MUSIC PLAYING]

>> We need to recognize and celebrate the great innovations and the people behind those innovations in the state of Utah. This is the 6th year we’ve done it and every year it seems to get bigger and bigger and the nominations are getting more exciting.

>> We’ve developed an electric chemical process to separate sodium from nuclear waste. By doing so, you’re generating fewer caustics that can be reused back in the process where they can go back and dissolve the waste they already have and redevelop the process.

>> There’s a strong link between the university research and the state government, as well as the local high tech businesses and that synergy is really starting to take off.

>> It allows for high school students to be discovered. They go to zinch.com. They create a profile of themselves and colleges and universities come to interact and recruit and communicate with high school students. We have over 400,000 students using it from all over America. Over 500 colleges, 50 of the top 100 schools in America use it. Big name schools. So it’s a great place for colleges and students to interact on a platform, the Internet, that students embrace.

>> In the United States, there are 400,000 what are called stripper wells. A stripper well produces less than 10 barrels a day. If we’re able to go back and use our technology on many of those wells, only about half of those wells, that represents another 180 billion barrels of oil producible domestically.

>> Essentially, what we’ve done is invented a new form of noble gas based insulation that replaces fabrics as insulators. We’re from Provo. This is a student invented, owned and operated company. This is one of our alpha prototypes I’m wearing right now. We’re in development of our beta prototype. You can see the dial right here on the jacket. By turning this dial, you can see that it increases the volume of those chambers inside of the jacket. So it gives you that warmth on demand at the touch of a button.

>> These are all the growing companies in the state of Utah, all the best companies that are in the technology space are involved in this event.

>> Think of it loosely as Tivo for your network. Primarily used for security purposes. You have the ability to have that historical record and have essentially complete visibility into all of your network traffic. Everything that crosses your network, you can replay that traffic, use any number of analysis tools out there to identify the root cause of the problem.

>> This device enables the clinician to use this to actively pull the anesthetic out of the brain and the blood and the lungs so that patient’s emerge more effectively. They’re able to recover better in the recovery unit.

We know that it shortens the time in the recovery unit and patients in general do better and have less complications.

So this product’s in use throughout the U.S. in a variety of hospitals. It’s in use here in Utah. This was invented by two research professors and a practicing anesthesiologist all who have associations at the University of Utah.

>> This is really an effort on our part to try to help highlight these companies and get them the recognition they deserve. And we found that as they’re highlighted and recognized, investment, investors approach them and they’re able to raise capital. They’re able to get their products to market and it helps promote these companies and get them sort of economically going in the right direction. It’s a real boost for them.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[END OF SEGMENT]

Local Review: Jason Mitchell from Wingate Web

  • Posted by Steve Spencer

Article posted on Jun 25

I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Jason Mitchell from Wingate Web recently.  Wingate is real force to be reckoned with in the event planning and management space.  They help some of the biggest brands in the world manage events all over the world, increasingly (as you will hear from the interview) overseas.

Once again, Wingate shows us how many real giants in their spaces are sitting right here in the valley around us.

Jason is also one of the forces behind Feed The Habit, an extremely successful site that reviews and announces cool stuff around the outdoor industry.

Please join me in watching the interview (or click through to the post with the video in it here)

(Also, please forgive us… we had some issues with the tripod :)  I promse the next video will be less wobbly :) )

Jason Alba speaks on effective social marketing, and his books

  • Posted by Steve Spencer

Article posted on Jun 05

A couple of years ago I started looking into the local Social networking/blogging/twitter/etc scene, and wondering where to start.  What could I really do to get value, and build a helpful network without just spinning my wheels?  Many people here in, and outside of the valley were a huge help (far too many to list here now).  But one in particular seemed to really be able to cut through all of the crap, and ignore all of the hype, and point a valuable path based on experience.  Not only that, but he has always been so willing to share what he has learned, and so humble to deal with.

I know many others have shared similar experiences with Jason.  For those that haven’t, I hope you enjoy the video.  Give him a call… he;ll go to lunch with anybody! :)

Utah Innovation Awards

  • Posted by Steve Spencer

Article posted on May 29

Last week Stoel Rives and The Utah Technology Council held their 2008 Utah Innovation Awards Ceremony.  The eight winners this year were chosen after much deliberation by a committe of 60 experts from private industry, government, and higher education.  We from the Tech Spotlight were also pleased to have an opportunity to attend and get video with several of the winners.  The eight winners this year, and their respective categories include:

Category

Company/Innovation Entity

Innovation Name
Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals Allocure Cell Therapy for Acute Renal Failure
Chemicals/Materials Science Ceramatec, Inc. NaSICON Membrane Technology

Clean Technology and Energy

 Mountain West Energy LLC In-situ Vapor Extraction
Computer Hardware/Electrical Devices Raytheon-Sarcos

Robotic Exoskeleton
Consumer Software Zinch Inc.

Student Profile and College Wizard
Enterprise B-2-B Software Solera Networks, Inc.

Solera Networks DS Series Packet Capture Appliance
Mechanical Devices Klymit™ Noble-Gas-Based Adjustable Insulation
Medical Devices Anecare Laboratories, Inc. QED-100

We hope you enjoy the footage as much as we enjoyed the event.  We will also be posting a full transcript in the coming days.

Utah Researchers move toward faster computing with a “bug eye view”

  • Posted by Steve Spencer

Article posted on May 23

How can we make the next big leap in computer speeds?  The answer: Using light rather than electricity.  But that has proven to be a huge challenge for scientists.  Enter a cool little Brazilian Beetle, Some Utah researchers, and some amazing possibilities.

Read the full post here.

Speed Pitching Event

  • Posted by Steve Spencer

Article posted on May 23

Last week I got the information on another of the Speed Pitching Events put on by Funding Universe.  If you read this blog, you’ll know that I speak about these events fairly often.  I want to make it clear to everyone however, that this is not because I am in any way involved or affiliated.  Quite frankly, I have built businesses before.  I have been, and am an entrepreneur.  I have labored over business plans, and wondered if I was doing it right.  I have wondered who the heck to talk to to get money.  That is exactly why I am so totally impressed with these events.

I cannot tell you how many people I have spoken to locally that have, or are trying to star up their own business.  I always ask them: “have you done one of the speed pitching events?”  Most say, “ya, we’ve considered it… I just don’t know.”  What don’t you know??  This is a non-threatening event.  The people there are so experienced, and so helpful.  To hell with funding… that’s just the icing on cake!  The ability to pick the brains of, and get the input of a whole room of brilliant people who know business, and have them guide you is TREMENDOUS!  Count yourself blessed even if you walk out without funding, but with a whole new set of insights, rather than just the guidance from your Uncle Ed, who once owner a toaster shop.  Add on top of that the fact that if your idea is good, and ready, that you may very well get funding.  Then add the fact that this is a local event, all in one afternoon, rather than a cross country roadshow, and you would be a fool not to go.

Anyway… in case you can’t tell… I really support these. :)  hope to see you there.

Livepitch and Networking event

  • Posted by Steve Spencer

Article posted on Apr 24

You all know that I am a huge fan of the Speed Pitching events put on by Funding Universe.  Well, next week is a great opportunity for all of you to do more than just read about how cool these events are.  Funding Universe is putting on their first ever Livepitch and Networking event.  What is this?  Well, for starters it is a great place to come meet local investors and entrepreneurs in a social setting.  Each person attending will get a certain amount of “funny money.”  Like an entrepreneur’s pitch?  Vote with your dollars (or funny dollar int his case.)  Additionally, a panel of investors will be judging all of the pitches.  At the end, the two winners will be chosen: one by the investor judges, and one by you, the audience based on your contributions of “funny money.”

This is an amazing chance to see what is going on in Utah, and meet the people who are making it happen!  Don’t miss it!!!

When:  Friday May 2, 2008
Venue: Miller Business Innovation Center
Building: Karen Gale Conference Center
Rooms: Wasatch and Cottonwood
Time:  9 am - 10:30 am
Cost:  FREE! ($10 to apply to present)
Go to http://www.fundinguniverse.com/services/339/420/utah-livepitch-and-networking.html for more information or to register.

Utah Entrepreneurial Challenge

  • Posted by Steve Spencer

Article posted on Apr 14

One of the programs that I really love here in Utah is the Utah Entrepreneurial challenge.  I was really pleased and blessed this year to have been given the opportunity to be a mentor to one of the teams.  The team I was working with is called Qgia.  Qgia’s product is pretty slick.  It’s a very inexpensive solution for companies (and even individuals in the case of yahoo or ebay stores) to be able to either upload video they have produced, or even point at video hosted somewhere else, and then have it played on their site/online store.  What makes it cooler though, is that you can upload images to be used as “buttons”, and tell how many seconds into the video there popup, where, and what url they should direct to.  So imagine a Convention/visitor’s bureau video that hi-lights Utah destinations, and then as each one is show there is a button right on the video for a call to action for that section of the video.  Further, this can be directly integrated into a shopping cart… so if the image is someone boarding at Brighton, the “buy now” button might jump right to a cart with a pass in it already.  I know their website is still under construction, but if you want to talk to these guys sooner, just let me know and I’ll help.  I know that Mark and his team are headed for grea things (Heck, I’m ready to star using it!)

Another company that I have written about several times is Klymit.  These guys have got a really neat product that uses Argo, among other gasses inside of a jacket liner.  Combine this with a small pressurized canister (the size of a  CO2 can that might be used ina  BB gun), a adjuster dial, andSHAZAM!  What you have is an unbelievably lightjacket (so they tell me… I am still waiting in line to buy one) that let’s you literally “dial-in” the appropriate level of insulation.  Dial it up while riding the lift up, dial it down when you’re carving moguls.  Cool stuff. (as a note: Nick Sorenson’s presentation was very polished.  Nice job.)

The winner this year was Amwell (not sure if they have a website… anyone know of one?)  Amwell is one of those companies that really makes you feel good to be a human bieng.  They have developed a product with innovative technology for vaginal application of medecines.  They use case they are headed into trials for is supposed to prevent pregnancy, HIV, and other STD’s.  I apologize that I don’t know more about it… but I’ll see what I can find out as far as web resources to point you to.

The winner this year walked away with $50,000.  Second and Third took $10,000 each, and the rest of the top ten walked with $2,000 each.  Not a bad jump to your business.  Good job to everyone involved, and a shout out to Qgia, good job for making the top ten!!

Local Review: Utah First Friday (Guest Post by Jason Alba)

  • Posted by Steve Spencer

Article posted on Feb 07

As I have often said in reviewing local events, it is hard to really say that an event is good or bad in some respects, as it really comes down to rather or not you are really the target audience or not.  As such, I asked a great friend of mine, Jason Alba from Jibber Jobber to help me out a bit.  I know Jason often attends and has spoken highly of the Utah First Friday events.  As such, here is a review of Utah First Fridays from Jason (Thanks much Jason!!):

I went to the Utah First Friday meeting at the Miller Center last week.  The featured guest was John Arnold, flown in from Denver.  John works for Constant Contact, wrote E-Mail Marketing or Dummies, and regularly gives seminars in Salt Lake to help businesses get more out of their e-mail marketing campaign.

I needed to go to this presentation for several reasons:

As an author, this was one of my first opportunities to see how a “big” author does presentations.  I have a bunch of presentations this month in Silicon Valley and I really wanted to see John – he does this all the time, he has a Dummies book… I figured he’d be an excellent example to learn from.
I’m presenting at UFF next month, on March 7th, and I wanted to get an idea of what the quality of the presentation would be.  At the very least, I wanted to know what I would be compared with.
I’m always looking at different marketing techniques to incorporate into my own business.  I figured this would be an excellent opportunity to hear from the expert on something that I think is kind of boring, but I know companies are using it effectively.
I’m always curious to see what kind of people end up at a First Friday meeting.  I’ve been about five times now, and the mix is always diverse.  I wanted to see if that’s changing.

Regarding the presentation style, it was great.  Definitely the type of caliber you hope to see at an event like this.  The audience was engaged, and at the end with Pat Vaughn asked if there was any interest in learning more from John almost half the audience raised their hands.

Two things I found interesting.  First, he only had one book for sale. I’m sure it gets old lugging around a bunch of books for sale.  He did have a slip you could fill out to get an autographed copy. I’m not sure I’ll do that.  Second, he gave away $20 in a little experiment/contest.  The guy that got the $20 didn’t know he could keep it – this was actually pretty cool.

Regarding the content of John’s presentation, it was really good.  He basically had five main points and shared examples, stories and “how-to’s.” I don’t remember any examples that were similar to my company, but just hearing the specifics of what other companies are doing, and things that he thought was cool, was good to hear.  I think I’m on-track with what I’m offering.  His examples had a more local, store-front appeal to them but still it was good stuff.

Regarding the people, I didn’t actually get to do much networking.  The roads were horrible and I ended up quite late.  I recognized a buddy, who introduced me to Carl Baumeister, CEO of Fruition Consultants.  This was all the networking I did :)


I would actually like to hear about e-mail marketing from Twelve Horses, seriously.  John is going to be more at the beginner, small business level, the Dummies.  Twelve Horses is doing stuff at the huge company, very interesting stuff that goes beyond the basics.  Not that I’m as big as those companies, but I want more leading edge information.

Overall, though, I was glad I went.

If you come next month, March 7th, you’ll see me present on LinkedIn.  I’ll even have a few books with me, if you haven’t picked one up yet.  Hope to see you there!

Next Page »