Venture Capital Firms in Utah

Album VC is a venture capital firm founded in 2014 (rebranded from Peak Ventures in 2019), headquartered in Lehi, Utah. Focusing exclusively on early-stage technology ventures, Album backs founders building innovative software, SaaS, fintech, healthcare services, life science, and oncology companies with high growth potential. The firm operates with a streamlined team of 2–10 employees, emphasizing close, founder-first partnerships. Since its founding, Album has made nearly 190 investments, including early bets in well-known startups such as Podium, Divvy, Neighbor, Filevine, TaxBit, MX, Andela, and Weave. Album VC III (2020 vintage), its flagship fund, targets software, SaaS, life sciences, healthcare services, TMT, and oncology companies, deploying initial checks typically between $1 million and $1.5 million per company.

Matchstick Ventures is an early-stage technology investment firm that focuses on supporting ambitious and diverse entrepreneurs in rapidly growing, yet underserved startup ecosystems, particularly those located "between the coasts" of the United States. The firm's mission is to act as a catalyst for its founders, partners, and startup communities by providing capital, camaraderie, connections, and community. They emphasize a "founder-first" approach, believing they work for the entrepreneurs they back, offering hands-on support and building trustworthy relationships. Matchstick Ventures typically invests between $500,000 and $1.5 million in pre-seed and seed-stage startups, with a willingness to invest from the idea stage through scaling.The firm was founded in 2015 by Ryan Broshar and Natty Zola, both of whom are serial entrepreneurs with experience in founding and scaling companies, as well as leading Techstars accelerator programs. Ryan Broshar, based in Minneapolis, has a background as a 3x founder and former Managing Director for Techstars in the Twin Cities. Natty Zola, based in Boulder, also started as a founder before running the Techstars Boulder program as Managing Director. Their combined experience as founders and accelerator leaders underpins Matchstick Ventures' deep understanding of early-stage challenges and its commitment to providing comprehensive support beyond just capital.Matchstick Ventures boasts a diverse portfolio of over 100 companies, reflecting its broad investment focus across various technology sectors. Notable investments include companies like Automate.Clinic (AI healthcare), Paperstack (fintech working capital), Locate.ai (AI real estate brokerage), Juno (guest travel and expense), Cast Finance (AI accounting), Pageport (AI-native CRM), and Reema Health (social-care navigation services). The firm's portfolio also spans areas such as enterprise & B2B software, e-commerce solutions, marketplaces, cybersecurity, and climate technology. Matchstick Ventures actively seeks out innovative solutions that address unique challenges in their target markets.The team at Matchstick Ventures extends beyond its founding partners to include Nicole Glaros, a Venture Partner known for her foundational role at Techstars, and Shannon Shroyer, Head of Network, who brings a unique background to venture capital. The firm leverages a robust network of over 400 entrepreneurs, operators, and corporate partners, as well as a community of fellow founders and subject matter experts, to provide mentorship, connections, and resources to its portfolio companies. This collaborative ecosystem is designed to help startups navigate their journey, access follow-on funding, and achieve significant growth.

Next Coast Ventures is an Austin, Texas-based venture capital firm that partners with entrepreneurs to invest in emerging, "next coast" companies at critical stages of development, aiming to launch them into hyper-growth. The firm employs a thematic investing approach, focusing on high-growth startups outside traditional coastal tech hubs, with a significant concentration of investments in Texas and other emerging technology centers. Their investment strategy is built around supporting disruptive businesses in large markets, leveraging macro trends and specific themes such as the future of work, online learning, and self-care.Founded in 2015 by Michael Smerklo and Thomas Ball, Next Coast Ventures was established with the vision of creating a different kind of venture capital firm, one "built for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs." The founders aimed to share their extensive operating and investing experience to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of building and scaling businesses, reducing the learning curve for new ventures. This ethos is reflected in their hands-on approach and the comprehensive platform resources they offer to portfolio companies.The firm's portfolio includes notable companies such as UpEquity, which is revolutionizing home buying; Workweek, reimagining business media; Everly Health, transforming healthcare access through at-home diagnostic solutions; and Diligent Robotics, creating hospital automation with socially intelligent robots. Other significant investments include Sift, an AI-powered fraud detection platform, and AlertMedia, a cloud-based emergency communication software. Next Coast Ventures typically invests in early-stage companies, ranging from Seed to Series A, and also provides follow-on capital through opportunity funds, and has an ETA fund for entrepreneurs acquiring and scaling small to medium-sized businesses.The Next Coast Ventures team comprises partners who were successful operators before transitioning into venture capital, offering pragmatic advice rooted in personal experience. They provide portfolio companies with "Roll Up Your Sleeves" help, access to an expert network of over 150 operators, and company-building playbooks. Key team members include co-founders Michael Smerklo and Thomas Ball, along with partners like Jonathan Kaplan, Adam Rogers, Anthony Walker, and Dustin Sellers, all contributing to the firm's mission of supporting founders through their growth journey.

Origin Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that strategically invests in companies at the forefront of the Artificial Intelligence Economy. The firm's investment thesis centers on transformative technologies that redefine how people live, work, and play, focusing on infrastructure, software, applications, services, and marketplaces that leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, robotics, and quantum computing to drive productivity and innovation. They are known for leading Seed and Series A funding rounds, providing early capital and strategic resources to help companies scale with purpose.The firm was founded in 1999 by Steve Miller and Bruce Barron, both of whom brought significant operational and engineering expertise to the venture capital landscape. Their vision was to collaborate with ambitious founders to build high-growth, category-defining technology companies. Over its more than two-decade history, Origin Ventures has consistently ranked among the top-performing VC firms nationally, demonstrating a patient and deeply committed approach to fostering lasting businesses.Origin Ventures boasts a robust portfolio of innovative companies. Key investments include Opticore, a photonic computing company; Torus, which develops secure energy storage and management systems; Veho, focused on enhancing last-mile delivery; Clearjet, providing delivery infrastructure for e-commerce; Voze, an AI solution for field sales representatives; Tovala, a smart oven and meal subscription service; Fountain, specializing in hiring and onboarding hourly workers; and Swarmbotics, which creates unmanned ground vehicles for defense applications. The firm was also an early investor in Grubhub.The Origin Ventures team is strategically distributed across major U.S. technology ecosystems, including San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Washington D.C., New York, and Los Angeles. Managing Partners such as Brent Hill, Jason Heltzer, and Alex Meyer, alongside other partners and investors, contribute diverse backgrounds in operations, engineering, and venture investing. The firm prides itself on a collaborative, values-aligned, and people-first partnership model, actively supporting entrepreneurs with deep industry expertise to challenge norms and redefine economies.

Peterson Ventures is the venture capital arm of Peterson Partners, an independent investment management firm with over $1.8 billion in assets under management. Founded in 2008, Peterson Ventures focuses on backing exceptional entrepreneurs primarily in the SaaS and digital commerce sectors, including fintech, healthtech, and e-commerce. The firm has a strong track record, having invested in over 125 companies and backing six unicorns. The firm operates with a founder-first philosophy, emphasizing long-term partnerships built on trust and respect. Peterson Ventures invests mainly at the pre-seed and seed stages, providing capital typically ranging from $500,000 to $2.5 million. Beyond funding, they offer strategic support, network introductions, and community engagement through CEO and CXO events to help startups scale from seed to Series A. Led by experienced partners including Managing Director Ben Capell and Partner Ilana Stern, Peterson Ventures leverages deep industry expertise and a collaborative approach. Their portfolio spans innovative companies in AI-driven hiring solutions, consumer-friendly life insurance, e-commerce tools, and graphical collaboration applications.

Portal Innovations is a venture development platform that provides crafted capital to fuel science-driven companies towards breakthroughs in the life sciences sector. The firm offers a unique membership model, granting startups access to world-class lab space, state-of-the-art equipment, and a comprehensive network of expertise and investors. They focus on identifying top innovators in emerging ecosystems, providing early-stage capital, fully equipped lab facilities, and strategic support across scientific strategy, data, and commercialization to accelerate growth.Founded in 2020 by John Flavin, a seasoned life sciences executive and entrepreneur, Portal Innovations was established to address the critical gaps faced by breakthrough scientists, namely the lack of capital, lab space, and operational support to build companies where they are. John Flavin, along with co-founder Patrick Flavin, leveraged their extensive experience in building and scaling biotechnology companies and innovation hubs to create a platform that not only invests financially but also provides physical infrastructure and human capital. Walder Ventures serves as the founding sponsor, sharing a vision to accelerate biomedical innovation.Portal Innovations has made numerous investments in companies operating in the life sciences, medical technology, biotech, and bioinformatics sectors. Notable portfolio companies include CrossBridge Bio, which was acquired by Eli Lilly, as well as Syntis Bio, March Biosciences, Cardiosense, Vasarya Therapeutics, Transcera, TopoDx, Vivtex, Vincere Biosciences, ReAx, RNAV8, ARase, Grove Biopharma, and ClostraBio. The firm typically provides seed capital, with investments ranging from pre-seed to Series A, and has supported over 150 member companies.The team at Portal Innovations comprises accomplished science-driven leaders with vast experience in health tech, life sciences, finance, and operations. Key team members like John Flavin and Patrick Flavin bring a strong track record of successful company building and capital raising. The in-house scientific and operational teams, including individuals like Yuan Zhang, Elizabeth, and Parth, provide critical support in preclinical development, lab operations, and strategic growth, ensuring portfolio companies navigate critical milestones and scale effectively.

Run Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, founded by veteran investors Brandon Tidwell and Ben Dahl. The firm focuses on leading Series A investments in technology companies, particularly those innovating in artificial intelligence and other transformative sectors. Run Ventures aims to empower ambitious entrepreneurs building companies in emerging tech ecosystems across the United States, especially outside traditional coastal hubs like Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston.The firm’s investment philosophy emphasizes deep, hands-on partnerships with founders, providing not only capital but also strategic support, coaching, and operational expertise. This approach has been validated through successful collaborations with portfolio companies where Run Ventures helped accelerate growth by assisting with capital raises and key team recruitment. Run Ventures positions itself as a "running partner" to entrepreneurs, committed to helping them go faster and further in their journeys.Run Ventures manages a $290 million early-stage fund dedicated to identifying and backing the next generation of technology trailblazers in high-growth ecosystems including Austin, Denver, and Atlanta. The firm leverages its strong national connectivity and local presence in Salt Lake City to challenge traditional venture capital concentration and foster innovation in rising tech centers across the country.

Sorenson Capital, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Lehi, Utah, is an early- and growth-stage venture capital firm specialized in product-first B2B software, cybersecurity, DevOps, AI, and infrastructure companies across North America. The firm manages over US$1.6 billion in assets (Ventures I–III), and typically invests $1–10 million per company in approximately 25–30 companies per fund. Sorenson Capital emphasizes close operational collaboration with founders on product-market fit, go-to-market strategy, scaling, and customer acquisition. Sorenson supports entrepreneurs from pre-revenue through growth stages across its dual offices in Lehi, Utah and Palo Alto, California. Its compact team (~30 professionals) allows for high-touch, domain-focused engagement with portfolio companies across the U.S. and Canada.

Tandem Ventures is a Utah-based venture capital firm established in 2022, dedicated to investing in early-stage technology companies. The firm primarily focuses on high-growth B2B software and AI-driven businesses, with a particular emphasis on vertical AI solutions. Tandem Ventures aims to partner closely with founders, providing not only capital but also hands-on operational support to help companies scale from initial traction to market leadership. The firm's investment strategy is characterized by a founder-focused approach, offering conviction, swift decision-making, and practical assistance to its portfolio companies.The firm was founded with the vision of a Unicorn founder and an institutional investor collaborating to identify and support the next generation of successful entrepreneurs. Tandem Ventures has demonstrated a commitment to driving revenue for its portfolio, setting ambitious goals for net new Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) across its investments. Their team leverages a robust network of successful founders and industry experts to provide active mentorship and deep operational guidance, ensuring portfolio companies receive valuable support beyond just funding.Tandem Ventures has built a diverse portfolio of innovative companies across various technology sectors. Notable investments include pmtbox, an enterprise commerce platform unifying payments, risk, and data; Revin, an AI-powered revenue copilot for the home services industry; and Glazier, which offers AI-driven smart takeoff features for the glass industry. Other portfolio companies span areas such as employee engagement (Applause), returns process optimization (Redo), flexible healthcare staffing (Nursa), real-time e-commerce product databases (PARTICL), and precision advertising (Agility).The team at Tandem Ventures comprises experienced operators and investors, including Founding Partners Alex Bean and Mckay Dunn, and Partners Jimmer Fredette and Zac Kerr. This blend of entrepreneurial and investment expertise allows the firm to offer comprehensive support, from strategic guidance to practical execution. The firm's headquarters are located in Lehi, Utah, positioning it within a rapidly growing tech ecosystem.

University Growth Fund (UGF) is the largest education-based private equity fund in the country, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. The organization uniquely combines capital deployment with an educational mission, giving university students the opportunity to gain real-world experience as they invest alongside top-tier investors in growth-stage companies. UGF typically has over 50 student associates from fourteen universities participating in the program each semester, creating a pipeline of talent for the venture capital and private equity industries.The fund operates with a multi-sector investment strategy, focusing on companies with established business models seeking growth capital across Series A through pre-IPO rounds. UGF invests across a wide range of sectors including consumer products, consumer technology, semiconductors, enterprise software, and healthcare, combining capital with complementary value-add strategies alongside other institutional investors. The organization has expanded its geographic footprint to three major offices: Salt Lake City (headquarters), San Diego, and Atlanta, with the Atlanta expansion specifically designed to promote diversity in venture capital by serving students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other underrepresented communities.UGF manages over $80 million in assets under management and has made 20 investments with 3 portfolio exits to date. The fund typically makes 2-6 deals annually in the $10-50 million range, targeting startups with average valuations of $100-500 million.