December 18, 2025
As counterintuitive as it may sound, failure is needed to pave way for many of life’s great successes. While it can be discouraging to face setbacks, using them to fuel growth is one of the most important skills an entrepreneur can master.
Hosted by Ivie League, FailedFest is built on this philosophy. Held on Jan. 9, 2026, the annual event will bring together creatives and business leaders to share the honest stories behind their biggest missteps. These founders will present the raw insights and unexpected lessons that shaped their journeys and offer a fresh perspective on what success really means.
The event features a full day of programming designed to reframe how failure is viewed in entrepreneurship. Its “Dead Talks” puts founders, creators, and operators on stage to share their biggest mistakes and the unexpected lessons they learned, while panel discussions explore how failure drives innovation, resilience, and long-term success.
One of FailedFest’s signature activations is F-Mart, a marketplace where founders can sell or trade old inventory that never quite made it to market. The concept highlights the value that can still be found in unused or discontinued products, while also offering businesses a unique opportunity to offload some of their older inventory.
Select products from F-Mart, along with other donated prototypes, will be showcased in the “Failed Forest,” a surreal installation featuring ideas that never took off.
Additional activities include Stranger Things-inspired pop-up food experiences, arcade games, and tabletop role-playing sessions — all designed to foster connection in a relaxed, creative environment.
Hands-on workshops and networking opportunities round out the event, encouraging participants to turn hard-earned lessons into forward momentum.
By flipping the script on business disasters, FailedFest aims to normalize failure as part of the entrepreneurial process, and remind founders that every setback can be a stepping stone to something greater.
For more information on the event, including pricing and details for participating in F-Mart, visit its registration page. Looking to further support your small business in Utah? Visit the Startup State Initiative’s resource list to find tools, programs, and communities to move your business forward.
The information in this article is current as of the publishing date and is intended for informational purposes only. This article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal, tax, or business advice. Any resources and organizations mentioned, unless an entity of or a partner of the state of Utah, are not formally endorsed by the Startup State Initiative or state of Utah.