FAQs
Q1: I have a service that would benefit UVEF members and I’m willing to offer it at a discount to your members. Can I post a link on your website? Any other ways I can promote my business to your members?
Answer: Consider becoming a sponsor. Sponsors are listed on our website with a link to their site, as well as having their logo displayed on our website linking to their website as well. Otherwise, we would consider it on a case-by-case basis if it is true to UVEF’s mission and purpose.
Q2: Why should my company become a sponsor of UVEF?
Answer: If you provide a service or want to sell to entrepreneurs and those who invest in them, it’s a very affordable means to reach that group. If you simply want to help entrepreneurship, it’s a good outlet for that too. Sponsorships are the main source of operating cash for UVEF.
Q3: How is UVEF different from the Utah Technology Council?
Answer: UTC is about helping high tech and life sciences companies grow and prosper at an operations level, often through becoming active in watching the political world, macro trends, etc. It has some good entrepreneur training opportunities, but its scope is quite different from UVEF. An Internet, software, or similar company is well-served by attending both.
Q4: How is UVEF different from Corporate Alliance?
Answer: Corporate Alliance is an organization that helps business people develop relationship and networking skills and opportunities. It encourages lead-sharing and solicitation to a degree. It is distinct from both the CoC and UVEF.
Q5: How is UVEF different from the Chamber of Commerce?
Answer: The CoC focuses on growing local commerce for its service area. This applies to large and small companies. UVEF is about helping provide information to entrepreneurs so they can create scalable, wealth-producing ventures from scratch. It’s not about small business creation that might earn the founder a normal salary. It’s about true venture creation, where jobs, wealth, and shareholder value are built as rapidly as possible.
Q6: How can I meet and give my elevator pitch to real-life equity investors at UVEF events?
Answer: Join. Attend regularly. Ask to meet with investors who attend. We do not have specific events for this. We highly recommend you work with Funding Universe and try to participate in the Speedpitching events they hold on a regular basis. This is the most efficient way for you to meet maximum investors. Also, in the Utah Valley area, UtahAngels™ (www.utahangels.org) is a good venue for many. Several venture capitalists attend as well. The key is to network and ask. The worst thing that can happen is a NO. Then, being an aggressive entrepreneur, you re-phrase the question and ask again.
Q7: Does UVEF offer mentoring?
Answer: Not directly. But, some members may do it for free, some may charge for consulting, and other places like UVU and BYU have some mentoring available. But, UVEF is not directly involved in hands-on mentoring.
Q8: Where is the UVEF Hall of Fame located?
Answer: It will be housed in the Tanner building on the BYU campus. It is going to go up after the new addition is completed (expected Fall 2009).
Q9: How do you select the Hall of Fame recipients?
Answer: The board considers the greatness of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial organization. Nominations are made. Then, the board votes on the nominees.
Q10: What’s the criteria for the December Awards?
Answer: Please see the information on our UVEF Events page.
Q11: What is the criteria for the Top 25 under 5?
Answer: Please see the application and information on our UVEF Events/Awards page.
Q12: Does UVEF offer discounts for Students?
Answer: Yes. Our luncheons are normally $10 per student, (with active ID card), or $100 per year for an annual membership.
Q13: Does UVEF offer a discounted membership if I’m already a member of another networking organization?
Answer: Not at this time. Our memberships are so low already, we don’t need to do that. But, we may have such opportunities come up from time to time, on a case-by-case basis.
Q14: I’d like to have my company featured on the UVEF spotlight. How do I do that?
Answer: Join and become a member or a sponsor. This is the one time you can highlight what your product or service does by sharing how you execute your business.
Q15: May I speak at one of your luncheons?
Answer: Submit a 1-page write up on what you would cover, and we will consider it.
Q16: Our nonprofit organization provides tremendous service to mankind. How can I engage UVEF members in helping us to help others?
Answer: The UVEF is focused on supporting and mentoring entrepreneurs who can grow to success and share that success with the local community through employment opportunities, economic support and services. As a forum, we do not engage with charities or humanitarian causes that are not directly related to entrepreneurship as a business development model. We believe helping businesses to succeed is socially responsible, and by enabling business success we empower companies and their employees to better support the charities that they deem important.
Q17: Can I use the UVEF membership lists to promote my business events?
Answer: If they are consistent with UVEF missions and objectives.
Q18: Why doesn’t UVEF offer a leads group?
Answer: UVEF is about providing knowledge and networking to foment entrepreneurship. It is not about generating product and service sales through direct connections among members. There are many other groups that offer this, we do not.
Q19: How do I sponsor an event?
Answer: Go to the Membership Join Page and join today as a sponsor.
Q20: What is the purpose of UVEF?
Answer: UVEF was founded in 1989 as a networking event designed to bring together high-growth businesses, investors, and service providers. UVEF is a catalyst for entrepreneurial activity and synergy in Utah Valley.
Q21: What does UVEF stand for?
Answer: The Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum
