UtahFounders.org: A new site connecting entrepreneurs with resources

This story appears in the May issue of Utah Business. Subscribe. 

A business is only as strong as its support network. That’s the philosophy behind the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute’s newly launched UtahFounders.org website, a resource that helps current and aspiring entrepreneurs save time and energy when launching or scaling a business. 

Troy D’Ambrosio, executive director of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute and an assistant dean at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, says the free online hub bridges the gap between Utah business builders and resources. It’s a venue where visitors can access vital business-related resources, networking opportunities and support services. The result is greater efficiency on the part of the institute while giving entrepreneurs and other stakeholders in the Beehive State access to accurate and relevant information. 

“(The idea) is there’s a central place where anyone can find the resources that an entrepreneur needs — everything from government resources to academic programs,” D’Ambrosio says. “It’s like the Yellow Pages but for entrepreneurs.”

On that note, D’Ambrosio says he welcomes submissions. He also notes that the site’s first iteration — currently at about 140 listings — is only the beginning. 

UtahFounders.org complements the institute’s established programs, which include workshops, networking events, business-plan competitions, startup support, innovation programs, graduate seminars, scholarships, community outreach and more.

D’Ambrosio says the website may be new but builds on existing partnerships with universities, high schools and other organizations statewide. By fostering a culture of entrepreneurship that transcends geographical boundaries, UtahFounders.org seeks to amplify the voices of entrepreneurs from all areas of Utah, including rural communities often overlooked in traditional startup ecosystems.

He also stresses that the site helps entrepreneur support organizations fulfill their missions. 

“We’re hearing from our partners on the site that they’re saying, ‘This is great because this is not a zero-sum game,’” D’Ambrosio says. “We’re not competing against each other. This is an ecosystem that strengthens each other.”