Utah Collegiate Entrepreneurship Programs Slip as 71,877 New Business Filings Show Startup Culture Still Booming
Updated
Updated · KSL.com · Jun 7
Utah Collegiate Entrepreneurship Programs Slip as 71,877 New Business Filings Show Startup Culture Still Booming
2 articles · Updated · KSL.com · Jun 7
Summary
Participation in one of Utah’s biggest college entrepreneurship programs has fallen from a recent peak, even as the state remains a top startup hub.
71,877 new business applications were filed in Utah in 2023, ranking the state sixth per capita, while U.S. filings reached nearly 5.5 million versus about 3.5 million in 2019.
Educators say the drop does not signal weaker student interest: startup teams have stayed relatively stable, and many students now pursue entrepreneurship through minors, certificates and hands-on ventures rather than majors.
AI is also lowering barriers to launch companies, with the University of Utah’s new DevLab drawing strong early participation around AI-enabled software businesses.
Utah founders and students describe a culture that rewards risk-taking, mentorship and self-starting—helping sustain entrepreneurship beyond formal campus program counts.