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WIN 100 FOUNDING PARTNERS
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Startup sponsors
Media Partners
Venture Partners
SELECTING THE
Founder 100
Identifying the top 100 founders in Utah, known as the Founder 100 Utah, was a meticulous and inclusive process designed to highlight the region’s burgeoning entrepreneurial talent. Here’s an overview of how it was accomplished:
PURPOSE AND KEY OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of the Founder 100 is to identify the top 100 founders that venture capitalists should pay attention to. This includes founders from both seed-stage and late-stage companies, ensuring a comprehensive view of the most promising and impactful entrepreneurs in Utah.
THREE PHASES OF SELECTION
- Open Nominations: The tech and business communities were invited to nominate individuals who they believed were outstanding founders. This inclusive approach ensured a wide range of candidates from diverse industries and backgrounds.
- Closed Voting: In the second phase, only those who had been nominated were allowed to vote. This ensured that the selections reflected the opinions of peers who are also accomplished founders, adding credibility and relevance to the process.
- Limited Interaction from Judges: In the final phase, a panel of judges, including Paul Ahlstrom, Peter Harris, and Jon Bradshaw, intervened minimally. Their primary role was to ensure the integrity of the process and confirm that the system wasn’t gamed, maintaining the fairness and authenticity of the selections.
BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE RECOGNITION
This marks the inaugural year of the Founder 100, built on the legacy and experience of Paul Ahlstrom’s WIN 100 and v100, which recognized the top founders in Utah that VCs should pay attention to. By supporting and highlighting Utah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, we aim to expand the region’s influence and innovation. This ongoing initiative not only celebrates current leaders but also fosters the growth of the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Judges
JON BRADSHAW
Co-Host, VentureCapital.fm,
Co-Founder, Codebase.com
PETER HARRIS
Co-Host, VentureCapital.fm
Partner, University Growth Fund
PAUL AHLSTROM
Co-Founder & CEO,
IsoTalent.com
MARK TULLIS
Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, TechBuzz.news