Utah has a long and storied history of technology innovation and growth dating back to 1917 when Harvey Fletcher, a Utah native and graduate of Brigham Young University, oversaw the development of the first electronic hearing aid. Since that time, numerous technology milestones have come forward out of the innovative companies found here or creative minds educated in Utah. For example:

• The Founders of Atari, Adobe Systems, Silicon Graphics and Pixar were educated at the University of Utah
• WordPerfect, Novell and Iomega were founded and headquartered in Utah
• Utah has become an ideal genetic laboratory having discovered more genes in its research facilities than any other place in the world

The trend of Utah’s success in the world of technology is continuing and getting stronger. Its status is growing as a hotbed for developing innovative technologies and creating an environment where these technologies can grow and flourish.

Utah Technology Industry Highlights:

• Over 5,200 Information Technology and Life Science companies operate in Utah providing nearly 66,000 high-paying jobs
  
• The average technology salary is 66% higher than the statewide average annual nonagricultural wage
• Combined, Information Technology and Life Science industries in Utah generate $3.5 billion in annual wages
• The number of technology companies in Utah has grown from 4,200 in 2006 to over 5,200 in 2008

Utah Technology Rankings:

Utah ranks first in the nation for Economic Dynamism, second for Inventor Patents, fourth for Fastest Growing Firms and fifth for Venture Capital.
Kauffman 2007 State New Economy Index

Ogden ranked 1st, Orem 3rd, and Salt Lake City 4th among the most technologically advanced cities in America.
Center for Digital Government, 2006 Digital Cities Survey

Brigham Young University is the first university in the nation to receive an IT School accreditation.
Brigham Young University, 2006 Data

The University of Utah was recently ranked second best in the nation, only behind MIT, for starting technology companies based on its own research.
AUTM 2008 Survey

Recent Buzz in Utah:

Provo/Orem Ranks First in the Nation's for Job Growth, Salt Lake City Ranks Third
September 2008

Provo, Utah Labeled as the Nation's Second-largest Software Center...
May 2008

Oracle Announces $285 Million Expansion in Utah
May 2008

Utah's High-tech and Life Science: Bigger, Stronger, Faster
April 2008

Utah Technology Organizations:

The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah's "knowledge economy." This revolutionary initiative invests in world-class innovation teams and research facilities at the University of Utah and Utah State University, to create novel technologies that are subsequently commercialized through new business ventures.

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UTC is the premier industry-led technology organization in Utah. As a privately funded industry trade association, UTC was formed by the merger of the Utah Information Technology Association (UITA) and the Utah Life Science Association (ULSA) in April 2006. Both entities operated successfully for many years prior to the merger—UITA since 1991 and ULSA since 1994. After working together closely for over a decade, the respective boards determined that a merger would be in the best interests of both associations, providing even more momentum to ensure that both industries’ voices were heard. The needs and interests of life science and information technology-based businesses have been converging for some time, and many companies have activities in both sectors. By broadening the scope and becoming a full technology council, the UTC is an even stronger advocate for creating many new high-paying tech jobs in Utah.

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