What does it actually take to survive long enough to build a great company?

Silicon Slopes CEO Clint Betts sits down with Vivint co-founder and McColee Partners CEO Keith Nellesen for a Start School session about entrepreneurship, leadership, investing, resilience, and the lessons that come from decades of building businesses.

Keith shares the unlikely story behind Vivint, from leaving a promising career at Deloitte to join his high school friend Todd Pedersen, nearly going under in the early years, pivoting from pest control into home security, and eventually helping build one of Utah’s most successful companies. He opens up about maxed-out credit cards, missed mortgage payments, expensive financing, constant uncertainty, and the unrelenting desire to survive that kept the company moving forward.

The conversation also explores what Keith looks for when investing in founders today, why solving a real customer need matters more than having a great idea, and how some of his biggest mistakes shaped the way he thinks about business. Keith shares lessons from his experience with Nuvi, why he believes being an investor and CEO at the same time can create problems, and why profitability and cash still matter.

Keith also reflects on leadership, family, leaving Vivint, and how his life changed when he finally had the time to be more present with his children. His approach to leadership is simple: work hard, tell the truth, treat people the way you want to be treated, and do what you said you would do.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:50 - The accidental start of Vivint
04:00 - Early financial struggles and pivotal moments
10:00 - Technological innovations and industry challenges
13:21 - Exiting Vivint and life after
17:34 - Current ventures with Macaulay Partners
22:00 - Audience Q&A: Guiding principles and founder criteria
34:00 - Lessons from Nuvi and leadership insights

For entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty, deciding when to pivot, raising capital, or simply trying to survive another month, this Start School session is a candid look at what building a company really requires.

Learn more about Start School and Silicon Slopes at siliconslopes.com.

What does it take to build a company worth betting on?
Silicon Slopes CEO Clint Betts sits down with Kickstart Founder and General Partner Gavin Christensen for a Start School session about venture capital, entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, and the next generation of Utah’s tech ecosystem.

Gavin shares the story of launching Kickstart when seed-stage investing in Utah was still a non-consensus idea, growing it from an initial $4 million fund into one of the most influential venture firms in the region, and watching Utah transform into a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

They discuss how AI is reshaping the startup landscape, why Gavin believes “the economy is up for grabs,” and where he sees opportunities for Utah entrepreneurs in the next wave of technology.

Gavin also breaks down what Kickstart looks for in founders, why only a small percentage of businesses should pursue venture capital, what it actually takes to generate venture-scale returns, and the question every founder seeking funding should be able to answer: Why can we not say no to you?

The conversation also goes beyond fundraising. Gavin shares what decades of investing in entrepreneurs have taught him about leadership, grit, curiosity, competition, and the importance of building a successful company without sacrificing everything else that matters.

For founders trying to understand venture capital, navigate the AI era, or build something truly exceptional, this Start School session offers lessons from one of Utah’s most experienced investors.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:47 - Gavin Christensen's journey into venture capital
02:03 - The early days of Kickstart and the Great Recession
03:09 - The growth of Utah's funding ecosystem
04:06 - Why Utah is a strong tech hub
06:28 - The future of SaaS and AI
10:12 - Current investment trends in Utah
13:35 - Private vs. public valuations
17:05 - The impact of AI on the tech industry
20:20 - The backlash against tech and AI
22:11 - Audience Q&A: The American dream and innovation
24:04 - The gap between having a solid project and getting venture capital
26:43 - How Kickstart finds the best entrepreneurs in Utah
29:05 - The importance of leadership and self-management
37:37 - Balancing entrepreneurship with personal life
44:27 - Closing thoughts and thank you

Learn more about Start School and Silicon Slopes at siliconslopes.com.

What does it take to build a company capable of transforming the way we produce, store, and distribute energy?

Silicon Slopes CEO Clint Betts sits down with Torus CEO Nate Walkingshaw for a Start School session about entrepreneurship, leadership, energy infrastructure, and the future of one of Utah’s most ambitious companies.

Nate shares his unconventional journey from working as an EMT to inventing medical devices, building and selling companies, helping scale Pluralsight, and ultimately founding Torus. He opens up about the mistakes he made as a young founder, the weight entrepreneurs carry, overcoming imposter syndrome, and how his approach to leadership has evolved over more than 25 years of building companies.

They also dive into the massive energy challenge created by AI and GPU development, why the existing electrical grid was not designed for what is coming, and how Torus is building energy storage technology that could help create a more intelligent, flexible, and decentralized power grid.

Nate also explains why some of his biggest breakthroughs came from listening instead of fighting, how Torus went from challenging traditional utilities to partnering with them, and why he believes Utah has an opportunity to build a company unlike anything the state has produced before.

For entrepreneurs, Nate leaves the room with a simple description of what it takes to keep building through uncertainty: a high pain tolerance and a short memory.

Timestamps
00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Background
00:01:58 - Nate's Early Career and Innovations
00:04:48 - Transition to Strava and Health Journey
00:08:58 - The Weight of Responsibility in Entrepreneurship
00:13:09 - Leadership Evolution and Cultural Shifts
00:16:09 - The Role of Energy in the AI Revolution
00:19:04 - Vulnerabilities in the Power Grid
00:23:00 - The Impact of GPUs on Energy Demand
00:27:57 - Data Centers and Decentralization
00:31:40 - Taurus's Role in Energy Storage and Grid Support
00:37:40 - Working with Utility Companies
00:45:37 - Audience Q&A: Choosing Flywheel Technology

Learn more about Start School and Silicon Slopes at siliconslopes.com.