Guest opinion: Weber State aims to build innovative ecosystem in Northern Utah
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- James Taylor
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- Brooke Lindgren
As Weber State Wildcats who bleed purple, we don’t often write about the successes of other universities in the state. However, when we think about what it takes to build an innovation ecosystem in Northern Utah, we can look to the south and consider the innovative successes of Brigham Young University.
In 1979, BYU alums Alan Ashton and Bruce Bastian founded WordPerfect, later purchased by Novell, and planted their company’s roots in Orem. The company’s initial success was largely due to its word-processing software, which quickly became a popular alternative to Microsoft Word. BYU played a significant role in the early success of WordPerfect by providing the company with access to resources and talent. In the early 1980s, Ashton and Bastian hired several BYU students to support and advance the development of WordPerfect, which helped accelerate the company’s growth. The university also provided the company with access to computing resources, which were critical in the early days of WordPerfect. In 1983, BYU purchased several DEC VAX computers, some of the most powerful computers available at the time. These computers were made available to WordPerfect and used to develop and test the company’s software. The relationship between WordPerfect and BYU proves just how important higher education can be to the success of local companies and startup companies.
WordPerfect was just the beginning of what would become a thriving tech industry in Utah County. Other well-known companies also founded in the area include Omniture, an online marketing and web analytics company, and Skullcandy, a headphone and audio equipment company. Today, the region is home to a diverse array of companies, ranging from established tech giants like Adobe and Qualtrics to up-and-coming startups like Podium and Pluralsight. In recent years, the term “Silicon Slopes” has become an increasingly popular description for this tech industry, modeling itself after Silicon Valley in northern California, which serves as a global center for high technology and innovation. It’s home to some of the most innovative and successful companies in the world, and universities in the area play a critical role in Silicon Valley’s ecosystem. Stanford, UC Berkeley and San Jose State University provide education, training and research opportunities that help develop a talented and highly skilled workforce that ultimately fuels Silicon Valley’s innovation, growth and success.
In Utah County, we’re seeing similar success among the region’s tech industry and universities like BYU and Utah Valley University. The innovative ecosystems created through partnerships between universities and local industries is something Weber State is helping to create in Northern Utah.
Anchored by Hill Air Force Base, Northern Utah is home to an esteemed aerospace and defense industry made up of companies like Boeing, Northrup Grumman, Janicki, Lockheed Martin, Duncan Aviation, L3Harris and more. The booming industry has an insatiable demand for an engineering and science workforce to help support the region’s core aerospace and defense capabilities, including design, composites manufacturing, software and control systems, advanced testing, and repair and maintenance. So, what is Weber State’s role in the region’s industry? Our goal is to help create and become a catalyst for a Northern Utah innovation ecosystem, much like Silicon Slopes and Silicon Valley have done for the regions they serve.
Weber State is an important contributor in Northern Utah and can serve an innovation ecosystem in countless ways. WSU educates and trains thousands of students each year in engineering, science, computer science, business, health professions and more, preparing students to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive. Students have the opportunity to work with faculty in conducting cutting-edge research that has the potential to transform industries and society, and ultimately contributes to a highly innovative ecosystem.
Weber State also houses a Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which provides resources and offers support to students, faculty and community members interested in starting and growing businesses. Community is a core theme at Weber State, and the institution’s deep engagement with the Northern Utah community has helped foster meaningful partnerships with local businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations that work collectively to address challenges and barriers and promote economic development. Through these collaborations, the university has created a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
Based on successful models like Silicon Valley and Silicon Slopes, it’s evident that the role of the university is changing from being a central player in technology transfer to being the core organization for knowledge exchange. Weber State is excited to develop these innovative ecosystems through its amazing students and its efforts in education, research, entrepreneurship and community engagement.
James Taylor is the executive director of innovation, commercialization, sponsored projects and research at Weber State University. Brooke Lindgren is the assistant director of the Office of Sponsored Projects at Weber State University, where she helps faculty and staff prepare and submit grant proposals for external funding.