Kickstart was the first dedicated seed-stage venture fund in Utah, launching during the 2008 Great Recession when almost no one believed a Utah-focused seed fund was viable, and has since backed defining breakout companies like Podium, Lucid, and Galileo while building portfolio companies that collectively employ thousands and have raised over $1.6 billion. The firm operates a formal community platform around its portfolio and runs a distinctive student-run venture program across 11 universities where students act as venture partners and invest real capital into startups, creating an uncommon talent and deal farm system for a regional seed fund.