November 24, 2025
Community is the heart of any strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. With the right connections — whether it be fellow founders, a mentor, or a motivated partner — ideas that may have been gathering dust can quickly gain momentum.
Built around that principle, the Innovation Hub of Utah is a business development center that empowers early-stage entrepreneurs by providing free office space, access to capital, and hands-on mentorship from seasoned business leaders.
Its spirit of collaboration fuels the organization’s newest initiative: the Aspiring Student Entrepreneurs program, which pairs developed business ideas with first-time student founders who are eager to bring them to life.
Those with promising concepts — or looking to mentor the next generation — can submit their ideas to a database. This then allows iHub to match plans with entrepreneurs ready to take action, doing so through “Shark Tank–style” pitch events that bring matchmaking to life.
“The energy is unreal,” shared an iHub representative in a blog post regarding the first event. “Dozens of ideas were pitched, real connections were made, and several students left with opportunities to move forward. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes, all it takes is the right room and the right moment to turn potential into progress.”
Whether you’re a mentor with an idea you hope to see developed or a student ready to jump into entrepreneurship, the ASE program offers a direct path to getting started.
Looking to support your small business in Utah? Visit the Startup State Initiative’s resource page to find more tools, programs, and communities to move your business forward, or learn how to start your business in Utah.
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.