16 venture capital firms promoting Salt Lake City companies in 2026

Salt Lake City's Silicon Slopes hosts 83 VC funds that invested $198B across 6,909 rounds. The region added 47,000 tech jobs over the past decade. Qualtrics ($2.5B), Domo, and Divvy exits proved you can scale unicorns here. The ecosystem centers on B2B SaaS with lower costs than SF.

Quick list

Why Salt Lake City for fundraising

Salt Lake City is B2B SaaS central. Qualtrics, Domo, Pluralsight all scaled here. The region specializes in enterprise software that solves real business problems. If you're building dev tools, analytics, CRM, or vertical SaaS, Silicon Slopes understands product-market fit better than most markets.

Cost advantages are real. Engineer salaries run $90K-$130K vs $160K+ in SF. Office space costs 60% less. Your $2M seed round goes twice as far here. Most successful Utah startups stay under $300K monthly burn through Series A.

University of Utah and BYU produce technical talent. UofU's $700M research budget feeds the ecosystem. EPIC Ventures just partnered with UofU to create University of Utah Ventures, channeling academic innovation into startups. BYU grads Josh James (Domo, Omniture) and Ryan Smith (Qualtrics) built the Silicon Slopes network.

Silicon Slopes hosts 83 VC funds that deployed $198B across 6,909 rounds. In the past 5 years: 623 seed rounds ($1.72B), 826 early-stage rounds ($13.8B), 399 late-stage rounds ($49B). That's serious capital concentration for a market this size.

The downside is later-stage capital gaps. Most Salt Lake City funds write $1M-$5M checks. For $10M+ Series B rounds, you'll need Sand Hill Road. Kickstart Fund invests seed. Pelion and Sorenson handle growth. But between $5M-$20M, you're raising from SF or NYC.

Picking the right Salt Lake City investor

Local presence: Mountain West focus matters. Kickstart Fund invests specifically in Mountain West companies. Peterson Ventures backs Utah startups. Most Salt Lake City investors prefer companies willing to build headquarters here. Remote-only founders struggle unless you're later-stage with traction.

Sector alignment: B2B SaaS dominates. EPIC Ventures, Album VC, and Pelion all focus on enterprise software. Fintech works well - Divvy scaled to acquisition. Healthcare and biotech get funded through Crocker Ventures and BioUtah connections. Consumer apps rarely work unless you have exceptional metrics.

Check sizes: Seed rounds run $1M-$3M in Salt Lake City. Kickstart Fund typically invests $500K-$1.5M. EPIC Ventures writes $1M-$5M checks. Park City Angels targets companies with $4M-$6M valuations. Series A is $3M-$10M. For $15M+ rounds, expect to bring in coastal venture capitals.

Network connections: Silicon Slopes network provides warm intros. Attend Silicon Slopes Summit (January annually) to meet investors. Josh James and Ryan Smith connections matter - they're active angel investors. BYU and UofU alumni networks run deep for hiring and customers.

Communication: Upload your deck to Ellty and send tracking links to Salt Lake City investors. You'll see Kickstart Fund focuses on unit economics and capital efficiency. EPIC Ventures spends time on technical feasibility and go-to-market. Signal Peak reviews traction metrics closely.

Follow-on capacity: Most seed investors here can't lead Series B. Peterson Ventures and Sorenson Capital have follow-on capacity. Pelion invests growth-stage. Plan to bring in Sequoia, Accel, or other Sand Hill Road firms for Series B. Salt Lake City works for proving concept and reaching $10M ARR.

How to find and approach Salt Lake City investors

Research local activity: Silicon Slopes publishes deals and ecosystem updates. TechBuzz News covers Utah startup funding. Attend Silicon Slopes Summit Startup Alley (January 2026) where hundreds of startups pitch investors face-to-face.

Join the ecosystem: Industry SLC and Kiln provide coworking space where investors and founders mix. Utah Technology Council and Women Tech Council offer networking and mentorship. BoomStartup accelerator funds $35K-$100K for 52-week programs.

Leverage accelerators: BoomStartup runs Salt Lake City's main accelerator with $35K-$100K funding. Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at University of Utah supports student founders. StartStudio focuses on software startups. These programs connect directly to local investors.

Share your deck: Create Ellty links for each Salt Lake City investor before attending Silicon Slopes Summit. Track which investors engage with your slides during Startup Alley. You'll know who to follow up with based on slide engagement before you even pitch.

Attend key events: Silicon Slopes Summit (January) is mandatory - 10,000+ attendees including all major local investors. Utah Startup Week (late January) features 180+ events. One Utah Summit (October) includes startup pitch competition with $200K+ prizes. These are where deals happen.

Connect with founders: Domo, Divvy, and Qualtrics founders mentor actively. Ask any Sand Hollow portfolio company about their fundraising. Utah founders are accessible and help each other. Join Silicon Slopes Slack or attend quarterly Startup Connectory events.

Set up data rooms: Use Ellty to organize incorporation docs, customer references, and financial models. Salt Lake City investors move fast once they see product-market fit. Have your data room ready before Silicon Slopes Summit. Most term sheets happen within 30 days of that event. Stop worrying about your pitch deck ending up in the wrong hands after it’s sent.

Understand local pace: Salt Lake City moves faster than traditional Midwest but slower than SF. First meeting to term sheet takes 45-75 days for seed rounds. Silicon Slopes Summit in January drives Q1 funding activity. Most investors make decisions by March for deploying capital through year-end.

Salt Lake City-specific considerations

B2B SaaS is the clear winner here. Qualtrics sold to SAP for $8B. Domo went public. Pluralsight reached $1B valuation. Divvy sold to Bill.com for $2.5B. If you're not building B2B software, you'll struggle compared to those who are.

Mormon culture influences business. Many investors and founders are LDS. Business happens on relationships and trust. Integrity matters more here than in coastal markets. Handshake deals still mean something. Don't oversell - under-promise and over-deliver works better.

Family values affect work culture. Most Utah startups don't glorify 80-hour weeks. Work-life balance is expected. Your pitch about grinding 24/7 won't impress like it might in SF. Focus on efficiency, not hustle culture.

Outdoor access is a recruiting advantage. World-class skiing 30 minutes from downtown. Five national parks within a few hours. Quality of life arguments help recruit talent from SF. Use this in your deck when discussing hiring plans.

Cost efficiency is table stakes. Salt Lake City investors expect you to build profitably. Burn $1M/month and they'll question your judgment. Most successful Utah startups reach profitability before Series B. Capital efficiency is a feature, not a bug, in this market.

16 top investors in Salt Lake City

1. Kickstart Fund

Mountain West seed-stage VC with 150+ investments since 2008, industry agnostic.

• Recent Deals: 150+ companies including Utah SaaS, consumer, marketplace, and healthcare startups
• LinkedIn: Kickstart Fund
• Sector Focus: Industry Agnostic - SaaS, Consumer, Marketplace, Healthcare
• Stage Focus: Seed ($500K-$1.5M typical)
• Office Location: Salt Lake City, UT
• Website: kickstartfund.com

2. EPIC Ventures

Partnered with University of Utah in 2025 for University of Utah Ventures fund, investing since 1994.

• Recent Deals: University of Utah Ventures launch (2025), focus on software, healthcare, biotech, security, fintech from academic research
• LinkedIn: Nick Efstratis, Partner
• Sector Focus: Software, Healthcare, Biotech, Security, Fintech, Future of Work
• Stage Focus: Early-Stage
• Office Location: Salt Lake City, UT
• Website: epicvc.com

3. Signal Peak Ventures

Early-stage tech investor across US from Salt Lake City, formerly Canopy Ventures principals.

• Recent Deals: SmartBomb Interactive, Solera Networks, US early-stage tech companies
• LinkedIn: Signal Peak Ventures
• Sector Focus: Technology, Software, Early-Stage Tech
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Office Location: Salt Lake City, UT
• Website: spv.com

4. Pelion Venture Partners

Growth-stage B2B software investor across Mountain West with focus on enterprise.

• Recent Deals: B2B software companies in Mountain West, growth-stage enterprise software
• LinkedIn: Pelion Venture Partners
• Sector Focus: B2B Software, Enterprise Software, SaaS
• Stage Focus: Growth Stage
• Office Location: Salt Lake City, UT
• Website: pelionvp.com

5. Peterson Ventures

Multi-stage Utah fund backing companies from seed through growth with flexible capital.

• Recent Deals: Utah companies across multiple stages, flexible investment structures
• LinkedIn: Peterson Ventures
• Sector Focus: Technology, B2B, Various Utah Companies
• Stage Focus: Seed to Growth (multi-stage)
• Office Location: Salt Lake City, UT
• Website: petersonventures.com

6. Album VC

Seed and Series A investor in B2B software and marketplace companies.

• Recent Deals: B2B software and marketplace companies, seed to Series A
• LinkedIn: Album VC
• Sector Focus: B2B Software, Marketplaces, SaaS
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Office Location: Salt Lake City, UT
• Website: album.vc

7. Mercato Partners

Growth-stage VC backing visionary entrepreneurs in underserved areas.

• Recent Deals: High-impact companies in underserved geographies, growth-stage focus
• LinkedIn: Mercato Partners
• Sector Focus: Various High-Impact Industries, Underserved Markets
• Stage Focus: Growth Stage
• Office Location: Salt Lake City, UT
• Website: mercatopartners.com

8. Sorenson Capital

Private equity with $1B+ AUM in small to middle-market buyouts and growth equity.

• Recent Deals: Mountain West and Western US buyouts and growth investments
• LinkedIn: Matt Marsh, Principal
• Sector Focus: Product-Focused B2B Software, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, AI
• Stage Focus: Growth, Private Equity
• Office Location: Lehi, UT (Salt Lake City metro)
• Website: sorensoncapital.com

9. Park City Angels

40+ accredited investors targeting $4M-$6M valuations aiming for $30M sales in 5 years.

• Recent Deals: Utah companies with $4M-$6M valuations and clear path to scale
• LinkedIn: Park City Angels
• Sector Focus: Various (focus on companies reaching $30M in sales within 5 years)
• Stage Focus: Angel ($4M-$6M valuations)
• Office Location: Park City, UT
• Website: parkcityangels.com

10. SLC Angels

Formerly Olympus Angels, angel network investing in early-stage high-tech with growth potential.

• Recent Deals: Salt Lake City early-stage high-tech companies
• LinkedIn: SLC Angels
• Sector Focus: High-Tech, Technology, Early-Stage
• Stage Focus: Angel, Seed
• Office Location: Salt Lake City, UT
• Website: Contact via Silicon Slopes network

11. RenewableTech Ventures

Early to growth-stage investor in renewable energy, cleantech, green materials.

• Recent Deals: Renewable energy and cleantech companies in US/Canada, underserved regions
• LinkedIn: RenewableTech Ventures
• Sector Focus: Renewable Energy, Cleantech, Energy Conservation, Green Materials
• Stage Focus: Early-Stage to Growth
• Office Location: Salt Lake City, UT (also Rexburg, ID and Alberta)
• Website: renewabletechventures.com

12. Zetta Venture Partners

Early-stage enterprise infrastructure software investor from Mountain View, active in Utah.

• Recent Deals: Enterprise infrastructure software, early-stage technology companies
• LinkedIn: Zetta Venture Partners
• Sector Focus: Enterprise Infrastructure Software, B2B SaaS
• Stage Focus: Early-Stage
• Office Location: Mountain View, CA (active in Utah/Mountain West)
• Website: zettavp.com

13. Startup Ignition Ventures

Utah pre-seed VC investing first checks into visionary startups with validated potential.

• Recent Deals: Utah technology, software, and SaaS pre-seed companies
• LinkedIn: Startup Ignition Ventures
• Sector Focus: Technology, Software, SaaS
• Stage Focus: Pre-Seed
• Office Location: Utah
• Website: startupignition.com/ventures

14. REES Capital

Angel investment and mentor capital working closely with entrepreneurs on strategic direction.

• Recent Deals: South Jordan-based but works with entrepreneurs globally, startups and high-growth companies
• LinkedIn: REES Capital
• Sector Focus: Various Startups and High-Growth Companies
• Stage Focus: Angel, Early-Stage
• Office Location: South Jordan, UT
• Website: reescapital.com

15. GSD Capital

Formerly Rock & Hammer Ventures, founder-friendly funding for Mountain West avoiding dilution.

• Recent Deals: Early-stage Mountain West companies, founder-friendly structures
• LinkedIn: GSD Capital
• Sector Focus: Technology, Various Industries
• Stage Focus: Early-Stage
• Office Location: Utah
• Website: gsdcapital.com

16. Crocker Ventures

Early-stage investor in biotech, medical devices, diagnostics, and information technology.

• Recent Deals: Biotech, medical devices, diagnostics companies with large market potential
• LinkedIn: Crocker Ventures
• Sector Focus: Biotech, Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Information Technology
• Stage Focus: Early-Stage
• Office Location: Utah
• Website: Contact via BioUtah network

Start tracking your Salt Lake City investor outreach

These 16 investors are active in Salt Lake City and Silicon Slopes in 2025-2026. Before attending Silicon Slopes Summit, get organized.

Upload your deck to Ellty and create unique links for each investor you'll meet at Startup Alley. Track which investors engage with your slides during the event. Follow up within 48 hours with investors who spent time on your deck.

When investors request more information, share an Ellty data room with your customer references, financial model, and technical architecture. Salt Lake City investors move fast on companies with clear product-market fit and capital-efficient growth.

Common questions

Do I need to be based in Salt Lake City to raise from Salt Lake City investors?

Most Mountain West funds prefer local companies. Kickstart Fund invests specifically in Mountain West startups. Peterson Ventures backs Utah companies. Many investors expect you to build headquarters here or have significant operations. Later-stage funds like Pelion and Sorenson invest beyond Utah. If you're outside the region, demonstrate commitment to the Silicon Slopes ecosystem.

How does Salt Lake City compare to San Francisco for fundraising?

Salt Lake City has significantly less capital but specializes in B2B SaaS. Average seed is $1M-$3M vs $2M-$5M in SF. The advantage is your money goes twice as far with 60% lower costs. Qualtrics, Domo, and Divvy proved you can build unicorns here. For consumer tech or very early pre-product ideas, SF has more options. For B2B SaaS with revenue, Salt Lake City offers focused, efficient capital.

What's the average seed round size in Salt Lake City?

$1M-$3M for seed rounds. Kickstart Fund typically invests $500K-$1.5M. EPIC Ventures writes $1M-$5M checks. Park City Angels targets $4M-$6M valuations. Series A runs $3M-$10M. These numbers are 30-40% lower than SF but your burn rate should be 50%+ lower with Utah salaries and office costs.

Should I raise locally or go to Silicon Valley?

If you're building B2B SaaS with product-market fit, start in Salt Lake City. Investors here understand enterprise software better than most markets. If you're pre-product or building consumer apps, consider SF. Most successful Utah startups raise seed locally, Series A with local leads and SF co-investors, then Series B from Sand Hill Road. The Qualtrics and Domo playbook works.

Do Salt Lake City investors expect in-person meetings?

Yes. Silicon Slopes Summit in January is when most deals happen. Investors expect you to attend, pitch at Startup Alley, and do in-person follow-ups. Park City Angels and SLC Angels meet regularly for pitches. Video works for initial screening but term sheets require multiple in-person meetings. Plan to visit quarterly if you're not based here.

What industries get funded most in Salt Lake City?

B2B SaaS dominates overwhelmingly. Dev tools, analytics, vertical SaaS, and enterprise software get funded fastest. Fintech works well - Divvy proved the model. Healthcare and biotech through University of Utah connections. Cleantech through RenewableTech Ventures. Consumer apps and hardware rarely get funded unless you have exceptional metrics.

How long does it take to close a round in Salt Lake City?

45-75 days from first meeting to term sheet for seed rounds. Silicon Slopes Summit in January accelerates timelines - many deals close by March. Series A takes 60-90 days. This is faster than traditional East Coast markets but slower than SF. Salt Lake City investors move quickly once they see product-market fit and capital-efficient growth. Have 6 months runway before starting fundraising.