Utah's startup culture is thriving, but a recent decline in participation in collegiate entrepreneurship programs has raised questions about the future of innovation among young people. While the state is a leading hub for new business creation, with startup activity well above pre-pandemic levels, the University of Utah Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute has seen a slowdown in growth and a decline in participation. This is particularly notable given the institute's recent ranking among the top 10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The decline in participation is not a sign that entrepreneurship is losing momentum among young people, according to Scott Holley, executive director at Lassonde. Instead, he attributes the slowdown to a shift in focus towards impact and transformation for students. The institute is still serving several thousand students per year, and overall interest in entrepreneurship has continued to grow. The decline in participation is also notable given the broader trend of younger adults facing an increasingly competitive job market and creating opportunities for themselves rather than waiting for traditional career paths. Utah's entrepreneurial culture, which is one of the biggest reasons young people continue to turn towards startups and side businesses, is still strong. The state's economy and startup success stories have helped create an environment where entrepreneurship feels more accessible to younger generations. However, the decline in participation at Lassonde raises a deeper question about how young people are pursuing innovation today. Entrepreneurship education remains a topic of debate in higher education, and as of now, Utah Valley University does not even offer an entrepreneurship major. Instead, many students pursue entrepreneurship through minors, certificates, hands-on programs, and startup experiences that complement degrees in business, technology, and other fields. The age of AI is also playing a role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship. Despite recent backlash surrounding AI, many students still see the technology as something that excites them about innovation. The institute's new DevLab program, which allows students to build AI-enabled software businesses, has seen strong early participation during its first year. In addition to AI, students have access to other technological tools that allow them to launch ideas faster than ever before, even without extensive technical backgrounds. The decline in participation at Lassonde is not a sign that entrepreneurship is losing momentum among young people. Instead, it is a reminder that the future of innovation will depend on how we support and nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs. As Lilly Moore, a BYU student building a floating sauna business in Utah, said, 'My advice is: do it, because I have learned more from the process of building a business than I did just from sitting in classes. If you can't find the job that you want, then just create it. Build it yourself.'
