Nucleus Grow Hosts State of Innovation Conference

October 2, 2025

The State of Innovation Conference, hosted by The Nucleus Institute, brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and researchers to explore pathways, partnerships, and funding strategies for breakthrough technologies. The day began with keynote speaker Jerry Hollister, who spoke on federal innovation funding trends, followed by a panel highlighting Utah companies that had successfully leveraged SBIR/STTR awards, America’s Seed Fund, to grow and commercialize their technologies. Attendees also gained insights from state leaders on how policy is shaping Utah’s role in emerging sectors, such as AI, energy, and life sciences, as well as the frameworks needed to sustain long-term growth in the state’s innovation economy.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to capital and collaboration. An investor panel examined how venture funds and angel groups identify and evaluate deep-tech opportunities, striking a balance between risk and transformative potential. Founders also shared their experiences working with universities to advance research translation, highlighting the role of SBIR/STTR programs in bridging the gap between lab and market. 

Attendees received a report on the State of Innovation in 2025. The report offers a snapshot of Utah’s innovation economy and a forward-looking analysis of strategies to maintain momentum while addressing critical challenges.