Company news information may be sent to brice.w@thecityjournals.com.
CONTESTS
• Proposals are being accepted until Oct. 26 by the University of Utah for the High Tech West 2026 Pitch Competition. Taking place in February and building on what was previously known as the Remote & Austere Conditions (RAC) Grand Challenge, High Tech West is an expanded, multi-day pitch event that unites research experts, industry partners and legislative representatives to explore groundbreaking technologies and solutions to the nation’s pressing challenges. High Tech West is seeking pitch proposals that align with distinct focus areas: one for aerospace and national security and the other for biotech and medicine supporting austere operations. Winning teams will be funded for the 2027 academic school year, with two to three awards expected per focus area being funded. Awards are up to $250,000 and are to be used to cover only direct costs. Details are at https://www.research.utah.edu/funding/high-tech-west/.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
• Utah is ranked ninth-lowest among states for the most new manufactured homes in 2024, according to a report by Construction Coverage. Utah shipped 276 manufactured homes last year and issued 17,674 permits for single-family site-built homes. In 2024, 1.5 percent of all new single-family houses built in Utah were manufactured homes, compared to 9.5 percent nationally. Manufactured homes in Utah sold at an average price of $144,700, versus the median $538,936 for all single-family homes in 2024. The highest number of new manufactured homes were in Texas, at 18,345. The lowest was in Hawaii, at zero. Details are at https://constructioncoverage.com/research/states-investing-most-in-manufactured-housing.
• Sugar House in Salt Lake City is the state’s “top spot for eating well on a budget,” according to a survey of foodies by loan provider Advance America. Sugar House is No. 49 nationally. Other Utah locations on the list are No. 91 Downtown Provo and No. 92 Downtown St. George. The top location nationally is Athens, Georgia. Details are at https://www.advanceamerica.net/money-saving-tips/budgeting-tips/best-neighborhoods-to-eat-well-on-budget.
• The “Giant License Plate Spider” in St. George is the No. 5 “ugliest public art piece” in the U.S., according to a survey by art printing provider Rivers Art. Also on the list from Utah are No. 17 “Joseph Smith Sphinx” in Salt Lake City, No. 26 “Tree of Utah” in Bonneville Salt Flats, and No. 51 “Out of the Blue” in Salt Lake City. The top-ranked piece nationally is the Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise, Alabama. Details are at https://www.riverswallart.com/blogs/art-surveys/ugliest-public-art.
• Mirror Lake Highway is the top-ranked “romantic fall drive” in Utah, according to a survey of couples by Gunther Volkswagen Coconut Creek. Coming in second is Scenic Byway 12 (Boulder to Torrey) and in third is Alpine Loop Scenic Byway. Details are at https://www.gunthervw.net/romantic-routes.htm.
• Salt Lake City is ranked No. 65 nationally for having the worst drivers, according to American River Wellness and based on a survey of truckers. West Valley City drivers are ranked No. 210. Respondents weighed in on behaviors like tailgating in blind spots, last-second cut-ins, and failing to leave enough space for trucks. Truckers criticized Salt Lake City for its sprawling freeway network and aggressive driving culture. They said motorists often weave across multiple lanes at high speeds, cut directly in front of semis, and slam on the brakes in heavy congestion. Others pointed to blind-spot tailgating as a daily hazard. In West Valley City, truckers said, locals are quick to weave through suburban freeways and slow to give semis any room. They complained about motorists cutting across lanes without signaling, braking hard in front of rigs, and tailgating dangerously in blind spots. The worst-drivers list is topped by New York City. Details are at https://americanriverwellnessrecovery.com/worst-drivers-survey/.
EXPANSIONS
• Image Studios, a Salt Lake City-based franchisor of salon suites, has announced planned expansions in Atlanta, Houston, St. Louis and Tampa. Image already has over 120 locations open across 27 states and over 200 in development.
HEALTH CARE
• Seek Labs, a Salt Lake City-based biotech company, has joined two federally supported innovation networks: the Investor Catalyst Hub, a regional hub of ARPANET-H launched by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), and the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV), which supports the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in accelerating medical countermeasure development. Seek Labs brings its CRISPR-based therapeutics, equipment-free molecular diagnostics, and AI-powered pathogen mapping to applicable opportunities within those networks. Based in the Greater Boston area and managed by VentureWell, the Investor Catalyst Hub seeks to accelerate the commercialization of groundbreaking and accessible biomedical solutions. Seek Labs joins a nationwide network of organizations aligned to ARPA-H’s mission to improve health outcomes through several research focus areas: health science futures, proactive health, scalable solutions, and resilient systems. As an Investor Catalyst Hub spoke, Seek Labs gains access to potential funding and flexible contracting for faster award execution compared to traditional government contracts. Membership also offers opportunities to provide input on ARPA-H challenge areas and priorities, along with access to networking opportunities. The RRPV is a BARDA-supported acquisition vehicle designed to accelerate the advanced development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) for pandemic influenza, emerging infectious diseases, and other high-consequence biological threats. The RRPV brings together technologists, innovators, contractors, academia, and nonprofit research institutions capable of responding rapidly to pandemic and biological threats. Through the RRPV, Seek may compete for project opportunities and collaborate with network members to advance MCM technologies.
MEDIA/MARKETING
• FullFlex.Agency, a Salt Lake City-based hybrid marketing agency, has announced the expansion of its AI-powered marketing solutions alongside its “All You Can Market” packages. Its AI-forward services aimed at helping businesses boost visibility, retention and sales include generative AI engines for content creation, SEO and campaign scaling; agentic AI Systems for casinos and hospitality businesses, creating personalized guest experiences; and AI Employees for contractors (HVAC, plumbing, painting) to automate lead follow-up, scheduling and retention.
NONPROFITS
• Utah first lady Abby Cox, in partnership with Utah Foster Care, has announced the statewide launch of Care Communities, whose model was developed in response to two persistent challenges: not enough families willing to foster children, and burnout among those who do. By surrounding foster families with trained volunteers who provide meals, transportation, respite care and mentorship, the program reduces stress and helps children experience greater stability. Details are at utahcarecommunities.org.
PARTNERSHIPS
• Franklin Mutual Insurance Group, a property and casualty insurer serving communities in the Northeast, has partnered with Nearmap, a Salt Lake City-based provider of property and location intelligence for insurers, to enhance its underwriting accuracy and inspection efficiency through the Nearmap Betterview platform. With a focus on modernizing risk assessment, FMI will leverage high-resolution aerial imagery and AI-driven property insights to make faster, more informed decisions across its portfolio. By integrating the Betterview platform into its underwriting workflow, FMI aims to gain access to timely, location-specific data that helps identify high-risk properties, eliminate unnecessary field inspections, and improve consistency in underwriting decisions. This shift is expected to reduce operational costs and support the company’s expansion into new states.
• Wayfyndr, an Oregon-based interactive venue mapping and guest experience platform company, has announced expanded partnerships with three universities, including University of Utah Athletics. Beginning with the 2025-26 athletic year, fans will have access to event information and venue navigation tools across football, basketball and baseball.
PHILANTHROPY
• Alsco Uniforms, a Salt Lake City-based provider of uniforms, linens and facility services to businesses, has announced a donation of $50,000 to Father Joe’s Villages, which will help Father Joe’s Villages provide services and support for people experiencing homelessness in the San Diego area. Father Joe’s Villages has helped homeless people in San Diego for 75 years by offering aid including housing, meals, child care, family services, medical and dental care, and vocational training. With more than 200 locations and 16,000 employees, Alsco Uniforms provides laundry services and other services and products to over 350,000 customers in 13 countries.
REAL ESTATE
• Reef Capital Partners, a Lehi-based real estate investment, development and operations firm, has launched its Global Partner program, an initiative that brings together a group of companies aligned in mission, values and long-term investment goals. The inaugural list includes MotivHealth, SkyWest, Monster Energy, Utah Jazz, Mountainland Supply, Utah Steel, Mountain America Credit Union, Millhaven Homes, BHI and Bank of Utah. Reef said the Global Partner program is built on the belief that progress stems from alignment of vision, values and investment “in something greater than any one project or company.” As part of their partnership, all Global Partners will receive integrated sponsor benefits tied to the PGA Tour’s Bank of Utah Championship and the LPGA Tour’s Black Desert Championship, both hosted at Black Desert Resort.
RECOGNITIONS
• The recent Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame Gala honored ideas and leaders shaping Utah’s Future. Hall of Fame inductees are Blake Modersitzki, Pelion Venture Partners; and Nobu Mutaguchi, Trans Pacific Partners. Purpose Driven Leadership honors were presented to Amy Antonelli, Humanitarian Experience Inc.; and Aaron Boyd, Welchman Keen. Executive Awards included Chief People Officer, Kat Judd, Lucid Software; CMO, Amy Osmond Cook, Fullcast; CTO, Corey Ercanbrack, Vasion; CFO, Mark Hansen, Entrata; Chief Product Officer, Jim Nye, Vivint; COO, Brian Stucki, Qualtrics; and CEO, Brian Beutler, Alianza. Other honors include Community Champion, Build Then Bless; Health & Wellness, Owlet Baby Care; E-Commerce, Minky Couture; Company Culture, BrainStorm; Marketing, Disruptive Advertising; Software, Domo; Services, Baker Tilly (formerly Moss Adams) US; and Startup, SchoolAI.
• Canary Speech, a Provo-based voice biomarker health tech company, has been included in the first edition of the “World’s Top HealthTech Companies 2025,” presented by Time and Statista Inc. The ranking recognizes innovators advancing health care globally through technology. Companies were evaluated using three primary data sources: financial performance metrics, reputation analysis and online engagement. Canary Speech’s technology analyzes vocal biomarkers in real time, helping health care providers, clinical researchers and organizations focus on population health and workforce well-being and detect signs of stress, fatigue, depression and cognitive impairment in a passive and unobtrusive way.
• Weber State University’s Arts & Humanities Advisory (AHA!) Council has announced the winners of the 2025 AHA! Awards, honoring students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members who have made significant contributions to the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities. Each year, the council recognizes five individuals whose dedication exemplifies the spirit of the college and its impact on students and the community. Recipients are Outstanding Student Award, Hayden Goodman, who recently earned his bachelor’s degree in English/creative writing with a minor in literary editing, recognized for his exceptional talent and intellectual courage as a writer; Outstanding Faculty Award, Scott Rogers, professor of English, honored for his dedication to teaching, innovative scholarship and leadership in curriculum development and known for creating engaging courses on literature and popular culture and also playing a key role in reshaping the university’s composition program; Outstanding Staff Award, Alex McDonald, Venture program coordinator, recognized for leadership in reviving the Venture Course in the Humanities, in which his efforts have removed barriers for adult learners by providing free access to humanities education, child care, meals and personalized support; Friend of the College Award, Jason Carlton, a public relations professional and mentor who has supported Weber State communication students through competitions, internships and industry connections and has demonstrated the professional value of arts and humanities education in his role at Intermountain Healthcare; Outstanding Alumnus Award, Julia Saxton, a graduate in interpersonal communication, honored for her work as a philanthropy officer with Primary Children’s Hospital and Intermountain Foundation, where she has raised millions for patient care while also bringing arts and humanities into hospital settings through events, celebrity visits and creative therapies.
RETAIL
• Smith’s Food & Drug has opened a store at 13893 S. Redwood Road, Bluffdale. It is Smith’s 57th location in Utah. The 103,000-square-foot store offers fresh produce, local products and organic options. Additionally, the new store has a floral department, household goods, drive-through pharmacy, online grocery pickup and on-site Smith’s Fuel Center. The $30 million store was built by R&O Construction within a Woodbury Corp. development.