Ten years. 

Thousands of attendees. 

Hundreds of global leaders. 

Four days. 

Two partners. 

One unforgettable experience.

The countdown to the 10th Annual Silicon Slopes Summit is officially on.

For four days, Salt Lake City becomes the home base for visionaries, builders, creators, athletes, and leaders—everyone shaping what’s next for our communities, industries, and world.

This year marks a powerful collaboration between Silicon Slopes and Visit Salt Lake—a partnership rooted in the belief that when tech, tourism, culture, and community unite, Utah becomes unstoppable. SUMMIT is the best of both organizations working together to create something extraordinary.

At SUMMIT 2026, you’ll experience:

• Keynotes from the leading minds in innovation, AI, frontier tech, funding, and human performance
  

• Cross-industry conversations that bring tech, sport, film, and creativity to the same stage
  

• Hands-on labs where ideas collide and builders roll up their sleeves
  

• VIP Deep-Dive Salons at Edison House
  

• Day 4: WINTER ROUNDUP — a Salt Lake celebration blending urban energy with western ski culture, music, food, and experiences you can only get in Utah
  

We’re keeping SUMMIT intentionally limited to fuel meaningful conversations and real connection. Because of that, tickets will sell out. Especially VIP.

If SUMMIT is on your 2026 goals list, this is your moment.

Early-Bird tickets are available now. Reserve yours today. 

https://summit.ing/

We are delighted to partner with Utah Tech Week to support our local community with a public platform for startups, VC firms, community organizations—anyone who champions Utah’s startup ecosystem.

Utah Tech Week has shared that there are no official UTW events scheduled during SUMMIT.

Their activities will take place earlier in the week—Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday—so the community can fully lean into SUMMIT on Feb. 4 - 7.

In this Silicon Slopes Friday Conversation, guest host Russ Simon sits down with Ella Evans and Shirley Heaps from Minky Couture’s corporate marketing team for an inspiring conversation about culture, leadership, and what it truly means to give back.

From its humble beginnings—born out of a mother’s love for her hospitalized daughter—to becoming the original luxury blanket brand, Minky Couture has built a business rooted in generosity, community, and intentional leadership.

In this episode, Ella and Shirley share how founder Sandi Hendry has created a women-owned, people-first organization where caring for employees, customers, and communities is a fundamental part of the operating system.

For decades, Nicea DeGering has been a familiar, trusted voice in Utah homes delivering the news, celebrating “good things,” and interviewing everyone from celebrities to presidential candidates. But behind the polished on-air presence is a deeply personal story shaped by mental health, advocacy, and hard-earned perspective.

In this refreshingly honest episode of Mental Health Momentum, Dr. David Morgan sits down with Nicea to talk about the things we used to whisper about and why we can’t afford to anymore. Nicea shares what it was like growing up in the 80s and 90s, when mental health wasn’t discussed, therapy was taboo, and families were expected to quietly “handle things.” She opens up about her sister’s decades-long mental health journey, becoming an advocate at just 12 years old, and witnessing firsthand how stigma can isolate people who are already suffering.

Celebrate The Season: Holiday Lights At The BallPark At America First Square

From November 14th thru January 3, 2026, 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. 

Upskill Your Engineering Team for AI in 5 Months

Most companies are racing to scale AI, but internal upskilling often moves too slowly or isn’t technical enough. The MasterAIDev program from Saras AI Institute transforms your existing developers into AI-capable engineers without slowing down current delivery.

Why Saras Instead of Internal Training?

• Faster ROI: Companies see 3–4× returns on AI training. Even one AI-driven improvement can repay the entire pilot.

• Zero Internal Overhead: No need to build or maintain training internally, and your team still keeps shipping.

• Expert-Led: Curriculum built with AI leaders from Microsoft & Google.

• Cost-Effective: $2,495 total per learner for the full 5-month program.

Develop Employees while building operational growth

By the end of the program, your developers will have built four business-aligned AI prototypes, gained the ability to independently design and deploy real AI solutions, and created immediate value tied to your priorities. The program strengthens retention, reduces reliance on consultants, and leaves you with a sustainable in-house AI capability that continues to compound in value long after the pilot ends.

Saras AI Institute is the world’s first AI-exclusive, fully online, degree-granting higher education institution proudly based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

USBCI, a program run from the governor's office, is preparing for their 3rd and final tranche of $20 million dollars to lend to Utah business. We are looking to line up borrowers to secure funds. Funds should be ready early 2026. The program is looking to help businesses expand and bring jobs to Utah by providing lower interest rates. 

 USBCI Qualifications 

• Small business <750 looking to expand and create jobs that can’t get full funding

 in the traditional setting. 

• Positive equity even just 1 penny

• Positive Cash flow to debt service a ratio 1:1

• If purchasing real estate it must be 100% owner occupied

• The business can’t access capital on reasonable terms. 

• The funds have no federal or government funds incorporated into the loan. 

• Amortization can’t exceed 20 years 

• Will provide funds up to 50% of loan requests in partnership with a bank or loan

 fund.

• Must be collateralized 100%

• Each natural person with a 20% or more ownership interest in the operating company

 OR passive company must guarantee the loan. 

• The lender will do an appraisal of their standards for collateral 

• Loan can't exceed NCUA’s guidelines for interest ceiling 

• Fees can’t exceed 3%

Interest rates:

• 0-35 months - .5%

• 36-59 months - 1%

• 60-83 months - 1.5%

• 84-119 months - 2%

• 120-179 months - 2.5%

• 180-240 months - 3%
  

The state requires that an Economic Development Organization helps facilitate loans and the state's money.  Alex Leonardi at Davis County is the best contact for this and can work with approved banks to help facilitate loans.

Reach out to Alex at 801-698-4863 or [email protected]. 

On January 21, 2026, we are separating the dreamers from the doers.

Come experience a TV pilot filming right in front of you—the audience! 

This is an investor-focused room. Attendees include investors, operators, founders, and those who understand the stakes of a pitch.

What to Expect:

Eight CEOs. One stage. Two pitches each.

The first look at THE CUT, the upcoming TV show that reveals the person behind the pitch. Watch as CEOs from the 15-city national tour face real investors, pressure, and pure chaos to prove what it takes to build and sell a company.

Each CEO delivers their seed+ raise after presenting a horribly mysterious bad business idea.

This is not the full show. It’s the live gauntlet that feeds into it.

We're going beyond the WHAT to find the WHO behind the next big bet.

We've already helped founders raise more than $8 million in funding, and counting!

January 21, 2026 (10 AM to 11 PM)

Event Schedule:

10:00-10:30am Welcome Notes - A message from Kent Richeson

10:30-11:00am Reverse Pitch - Our six investors will present on who they invest in.

11:00-11:30am Why This Works - A message from the Co-Founders of THE CUT

12:00-1:00pm Lunch

1:00-1:30pm Powered By - Panelist and special guests

1:30-2:30pm Prep & Find Your Seat

**3:00-6:00pm TV Pilot Filming: The CUT - 8 CEOs present to renowned investors

**7:30-10:00pm Investor Only Dinner

$500 OFF Investor code: VIPINVEST

70% OFF Non-Investor code: SLOPENON

Click here for more info:

https://luma.com/bl50qj8j

We’re thrilled to announce that Lindsey Ivie has joined Silicon Slopes as our new VP of Partnerships! A proven community builder who helps companies scale through strategic partnerships and events, Lindsey brings deep roots in Utah’s tech ecosystem and a passion for mentorship, community, and education.

Lindsey is the founder of FailedFest and the co‑founder of CyberCraft Summit, connecting the cybersecurity and anti‑fraud communities through approachable training and collaboration. She was co‑founder and managing partner at Ivie League; founder/COO of ShareHouse, an eCommerce community for brands and service providers; and a co‑host of LinkedIn Local SLC. Based in Salt Lake City, she’s been an active voice championing Utah’s talent, capital, and community.

Colleagues consistently describe Lindsey as a visionary, creative, and authentic connector with genius marketing ideas—someone who pairs big‑picture strategy with meticulous execution and a tireless work ethic.

In her new role, Lindsey will expand high‑impact partnerships across founders, operators, investors, and community organizations to accelerate growth and opportunity in Utah. Please join us in welcoming Lindsey to the Silicon Slopes team—and if you’re interested in partnering, reach out to say hello!

Shape the Future of Silicon Slopes!