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This Week at Silicon Slopes: New From Utah's Community, Businesses, and Events
Clint Betts
November 13, 2025
In today’s email:
Have You Joined Community Hub?
Catherine Bennett: What Makes Utah’s Business Culture So Different
Melanie Jones: The Hidden Cause of Burnout Isn’t Workload—It’s Feeling Invisible
Utah Business Forward
BOOST: The Biggest Event of the Year
Davis County Chapter Lunch: Meet Sam Bawden: Founder, Cardiff Snowcraft
Magic of the Holidays at The Ballpark at America First Square.
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025
Three Startup Pitch Event
Cybercraft Summit
She Leads: Leadership Conference
Wellness In The Workplace (Logan Chapter)
Silicon Slopes Friday Conversations
Let Builders Lead Communities: Community Hub
Technology should enable community, not replace it.
That’s why we built the Community Hub as the connective tissue for everything we are doing.
Join real-time conversations, find mentors, discover co-founders, post jobs and internships, pitch investors, attend livestreams, and connect with people who understand your challenges.
All in one place.
All free.
All focused on participation–not gatekeeping.
The Jobs Board isn't LinkedIn. It's Utah companies hiring from the Utah community.
The Founder Matching tool isn't about pedigree. It's about finding people whose skills and vision complement yours.
The Mentorship platform isn't about prestigious advisors collecting mentee credits. It's about experienced operators genuinely helping the next generation succeed.
At Silicon Slopes, we believe that the healthiest communities are those where everyone can contribute, where barriers to participation are low, and where value is created collectively.
That’s what we’re building.
Whether you’re in a Blockchain Chapter, exploring Web3, joining the Latino Chapter to build representation and pathways to leadership, or joining the Vernal Regional Chapter, working to diversify Eastern Utah’s economy, you are contributing to something bigger than yourself.
Because the question isn’t whether you’re venture-backed. It’s more about whether you are willing to give more than you take.
It isn’t who you know. It’s what you’re building and whether you’re willing to help others build, too.
The question isn’t whether you have permission. It’s whether you are ready to participate.
This is how we create access to opportunity for everyone in Utah.
This is how we build a tech ecosystem that actually represents all of us.
Let’s build Utah together.
Clint Betts, CEO, Silicon Slopes
Silicon Slopes Event Highlights
Catherine Bennett: What Makes Utah’s Business Culture So Different
In this episode of Silicon Slopes Friday Conversations, sponsored by Minky Couture and Build Then Bless, Tiffany Vail, COO at Silicon Slopes, chats with Catherine Bennett, Executive Editor at Utah Business, about what it really takes to lead — and stay human — in the professional world.
Catherine opens up about her unconventional path from journalism to entrepreneurship, her six-figure “accidental” business, and the raw moments of self-doubt that shaped her confidence as a leader.
Together, Tiffany and Catherine dig into what makes Utah’s business community so uniquely collaborative, why vulnerability is the ultimate superpower, and how authenticity is redefining leadership in an age obsessed with titles and exits.
Listen to the complete episode here:
In this episode of Mental Health Momentum, host Dr. David Morgan sits down with Melanie Jones, CEO of the Women’s Leadership Institute, to explore the real connection between mental health, leadership, and appreciation in the workplace.
Together, David and Melanie present a provocative idea: burnout isn’t always caused by overwork. Sometimes, it’s caused by underappreciation.
They discuss what it means to create psychologically safe workplaces, how gratitude can be a leadership superpower, and why recognizing people for their contributions might be the most powerful form of mental health support a company can offer.
Whether you’re a leader trying to build a stronger culture or someone navigating your own journey toward balance, this episode will leave you reflecting, inspired, and ready to lead with empathy.
Upcoming Events
Utah Business Forward: Winning Strategies, Actionable Ideas
Utah Business Forward is coming up on November 17!
This event gives you access to 45+ founders, executives, and business experts, including Tiffany Vail, COO at Silicon Slopes, who will help you level up as a leader heading into 2026. You have to see the lineup for yourself! We are going to spend all day celebrating the Utah business community's forward momentum. Join us and hundreds of business leaders for this anticipated annual event.
Utah Business is offering 50% off tickets to the Silicon Slopes community. Use the code EDITOR50 at checkout.
Davis County Chapter Lunch: Meet Sam Bawden, Founder of Cardiff Snowcraft
Join the Silicon Slopes Davis County Chapter for a special lunch on Wed., Nov.19 at noon, for an afternoon with Sam Bawden, Founder of Cardiff Snowcraft.
This event is hosted at the Catalyst Center in Kaysville.
Sam Bawden, founder of Cardiff Snowcraft and owner of EDIFICE Design + Architecture, is an architect-entrepreneur whose passion for design and innovation runs deep.
Spending his early mornings in the Wasatch backcountry, Sam noticed flaws in the way traditional splitboards performed. Drawing on his architectural mindset and design expertise, he engineered a better board. That idea grew into Cardiff Snowcraft, a Davis County–based company now recognized for reimagining what’s possible in the splitboard industry.
Come enjoy lunch, networking, and a story of local innovation that bridges architecture, design, and outdoor technology.
BOOST: Join The Biggest Event of the Year
Boost, presented by Reference Group, is a one-of-a-kind conference designed to ignite your potential and inspire actionable change. It’s the “who’s who” of Utah’s most innovative and successful organizations.
Whether you’re a business owner, founder, or a professional seeking growth, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn, network, and transform your career trajectory.
Founders of Torus, LVT, Chatbooks, Nursa, Alianza, Savory Fund, HeroDevs, and a dozen more companies will be on stage sharing their insights!
Investors from Album, Convoi, EPIC, Frame, Kickstart, Origin, Pelion, Peterson, Run, Sorenson, Spacestation, and Tandem will be there as well to guide you in your journey!
Along with dozens of exited founders and subject matter experts to answer your questions 1:1 in mentoring sessions throughout the day. So whether you’re stuck on a finance, product, sales, or career development question we’ll have the best of the best there to support you!
Thanks to our partnership with Nuclues and GOEO we have a code for a FREE Full Conference Pass - use code SLOPES at checkout!
Discover the Magic of the Holidays at The Ballpark at America First Square.
On November 14th, step into South Jordan’s newest holiday tradition — a walk-through light show that transforms the ballpark into a dazzling wonderland of lights, music, and interactive fun.
Walk the base paths, stand on the field, and marvel at the 60-foot Christmas tree synchronized to holiday music. The entire outfield comes alive with choreographed light shows every 20 minutes.
Explore glowing tunnels, larger-than-life displays, and themed zones like Candy Cane Lane or a festive 9-hole mini golf course. Kids will love the interactive stomp pads, playful “yeti snowball toss,” and more.
Whether it’s your first visit or a returning tradition, the Ballpark at America First Square brings holiday spirit to life in a magical, unforgettable way.
Get The Full Experience: Las Vegas Grand Prix
Three extraordinary ways to experience race week, including elevated cuisine, premium bars, and prime vantage points of the race
As a valued Silicon Slopes member, you have exclusive access to book premium packages for the big race.
Skybox: $8,721.53 (taxes and fees included)
Above the Heineken® Silver Main Grandstand with indoor/outdoor terraces and start/finish views. Includes all‑inclusive hospitality, a dedicated service team, a Main Grandstand seat, and access to interactive fan activations.
Paddock Club: $12,370.30 (taxes and fees included)
Experience the Trackside Tavern - the ultimate sports bar on the Paddock Club™ Rooftop. This shared hospitality area offers 360° Strip Circuit® views, premium dining and cocktails, an exclusive Pit Lane Walk, a guided paddock tour (first‑come, first‑served), transportation, and a commemorative ticket box.
Wynn Grid Club: $22,474.60 (taxes and fees included)
Private terraces over Turns 1 & 2 and 360° track views inside the Paddock Club™. Includes meet‑and‑greets with F1 Legends, Pit Lane Walk, guided paddock tours, elevated cuisine, and cocktails.
For an exclusive Silicon Slopes member benefit, please contact Anna Hersel (702) 622-7425 or [email protected] and mention this newsletter
Don’t Have Health Insurance Through Work? Marketplace Enrollment is Open:
Hey Silicon Slopes community!
If you’re building something, freelancing, jumping between gigs, or working at a startup that doesn’t offer benefits yet, you still deserve solid health coverage. Open enrollment for individual & family Marketplace plans is happening right now, and University of Utah Health Plans is here for the startup community.
Enroll by December 15th for coverage starting January 1.
WHO IS THIS TYPE OF INSURANCE FOR?
Marketplace health plans are perfect for:
People who don’t get insurance through their job and don’t qualify for Medicaid or Medicare
Freelancers, gig workers, and 1099 contractors
Creators, consultants, and solo business owners
WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE U OF U HEALTH PLANS
A huge provider network – 19,000+ doctors and 50+ hospitals across Utah (not just U of U Health)
Great coverage options – All plans include medical, behavioral health, and pharmacy coverage
Incentives for preventive care – You can get $50 gift cards for completing annual wellness visits (both kids and adults), flu shots, and breast cancer screenings
Healthcare shouldn't feel like a luxury that's “for later.” Protecting your health lets you keep building, pitching, shipping, and scaling.
See plan options and get started at uofuhealthplans.org
NEED HELP? You can explore plans online or get free help from a health insurance pro. Call 801-933- 2605 for details.
Third Thursday @ Three Startup Pitch Event
We’re thrilled to have three-time Olympian and Olympic Silver Medalist Bill Schuffenhauer serve as MC for the event, bringing his trademark energy, motivation, and leadership to the stage.
We’ll open with 3–5 Kinect Capital Alumni sharing extended elevator pitches — attendees get access to their full 10-minute pitch videos.
Then, founders take the stage for 30-second open-mic pitches — fast, focused, and fun!
After all the pitches, stick around to connect with founders, mentors, and investors.
Please note: We must finish and be out by 5:00 PM, but conversations can continue outside.
Arrive early — seating is limited!
Cybercraft Summit and AWS Workshop
Cybercraft Summit – November 13 & 14
An all-day conference at the Masonic Temple on November 13 and virtually hosted on Livestorm.
A hands-on workshop AWS Workshop: Protect Your GenAI Application From Prompt Injections Silicon Slopes HQ on November 14.
The Summit will include:
Keynote talks from industry leaders
Up to 20 CPE & CLE for Utah-based Attorneys for in-person attendance / 10 CPE credits for virtual
A vendor hall for showcasing solutions
Ample networking opportunities in a historic downtown venue
Mentor/Office Hours with industry leaders
A VIP Dinner at The Laurel in The Grand America
Additional details:
IT, Legal, and Finance decision-makers in your network will receive free access to the event. This is a great value-add to share with your peers.
She Leads — Leadership Conference
On November 14, join us in St. George for our 9th annual She Leads Conference! The Women’s Leadership Institute and Utah Women Run present our annual one-day leadership conference.
Meet new people and learn from community partners that specialize in leadership development and advocating for women. Build confidence and see how others have navigated their environments to lead and inspire.
Join us on November 21st at 12 pm for lunch and a great discussion with Allyse Jackson, Founder and CEO of Beehive Meals.
Allyse Jackson is the Founder and CEO of Beehive Meals, one of the nation’s fastest-growing meal prep companies and a trusted solution for busy families seeking convenient, home-cooked meals. Since launching in 2019, she has grown the company from a local startup into a regional powerhouse, delivering more than 3.5 million meals across 24 states west of the Mississippi River. Under her leadership, Beehive Meals has been recognized as one of America's Top Small Businesses by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, while Allyse herself was named Utah Business 2024 CEO of the Year for her innovation, vision, and industry impact.
Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Allyse is a proud mom of four young children, balancing the demands of building a thriving company with the joys of raising a family. Her journey reflects a passion for creating meaningful solutions that serve both customers and communities, and a commitment to proving that women can thrive as both leaders and mothers.
Save the Date: Nov. 18th — Digital Wellness & Mental Health in the Workplace
Silicon Slopes Logan Chapter is hosting an empowering lunchtime event designed for business and tech leaders who want to thrive amid the pressures in the workplace.
Here’s a sneak peek at the Digital Wellness & Mental Health in the Workplace event, which brings together two powerhouse speakers—Clay Olsen, CEO of Impact Suite, and Erin Cox, Emmy-winning journalist and USU professor—for a transformative session on building resilience, communicating with clarity, and leading with strength amid chaos.
🧠 When: November 18th, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Where: Adams Wealth Advisors, 701 South Main St., Ste 400, Logan, UT
Mark your calendar now!
Start the new year investing in the one thing every leader needs to succeed: a healthy, resilient mind.
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