September Newsletter | Startup State Initiative

Turning Farmers Markets Into Startup Launchpads

For many Utah entrepreneurs, the key to launching or growing a business might not be in an office but at their local farmers market. From fresh produce to handmade goods, these beginner-friendly marketplaces offer direct customer access and real-time product testing without a storefront. Learn how markets like the Downtown Farmers Market help vendors grow into full-scale businesses and what it takes to get started. Whether you’re a farmer, baker, maker, or artisan, your business might be closer to market-ready than you think.

ViewPoint Simulations

When the pandemic exposed the shortcomings of online learning, University of Utah professor Fiona Hayes turned frustration into innovation with ViewPoint Simulations, an edtech platform transforming lectures into immersive, role-based experiences. Partnering with University of Michigan professor Elisabeth Gerber, Hayes built on proven experiential learning methods and quickly gained traction, securing significant funding and investment. Now operating independently from Utah, ViewPoint Simulations is scaling nationwide, improving student engagement and outcomes while showcasing the strength of Utah’s startup ecosystem that helped the platform launch, grow, and give back.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is helping Utah entrepreneurs scale with confidence through game-changing support. Delivered locally by The Mill at Salt Lake Community College, this free, competitive 12–14 week initiative blends in-person and online learning with hands-on finance, marketing, and leadership training. It also provides tailored advising and access to a powerful alumni network. With more than 1,000 Utah graduates reporting stronger growth and creating lasting collaborations, the program is fueling business success across industries statewide.

Utah is home to a wide range of grants and programs that connect entrepreneurs, startups, and nonprofits with the funding they need to grow and succeed. Whether launching a new venture or expanding your impact, explore what’s available:

Economic Assistance Grant
Open Sept. 1-15, 2025

State Bank Business Challenge
Application deadline: Sept. 28, 2025

August Winners

Do you have a business idea? Utah’s Get Started Business Idea Challenge encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into thriving businesses. Since the pilot launched in January 2025, the program has made measurable strides in reaching entrepreneurs across the state. From rural towns to urban cities, the program is helping Utahns take action on their ideas and bring them to life.

Here’s a midyear review of the program’s impact:

$11,500 in funding awarded
23 winners
258 applications submitted

Starting in October, the microgrants will increase from $500 to $1,000, furthering the fiscal impact while bringing a more competitive edge.

Recent Get Started winners include:
Alboom, Ama’s Momo, Hive Dynamics, Paloma, Olympia Games, Periscope Systems, and Roivek.

Learn about each winner and how you can join Utah’s thriving startup community.

Thank you to Purifry for being a part of Utah’s startup community. Share your story with us for the chance for your company to be featured.

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