Organization · Venture Capital
University Venture Fund
The University Venture Fund (UVF) is a student-run venture capital fund based in Salt Lake City, Utah, focused on impact investing. It provides university students with hands-on experience in sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities.
Overview
What University Venture Fund does
What University Venture Fund is
The University Venture Fund (UVF) is a student-run venture capital fund based in Salt Lake City, Utah, focused on impact investing. It provides university students with hands-on experience in sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2001
- Approximate age
- About 25 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Community
- Last reviewed
- April 23, 2026
Official channels
Find University Venture Fund elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
University Venture Fund as a funder
Investment thesis
The University Venture Fund focuses on impact investing, prioritizing social good while seeking financial returns. It operates primarily in the Intermountain West region, engaging students in the investment process.
Focus narrative
UVF focuses on early-stage venture investments with an impact lens, primarily in the Intermountain West region. The fund engages students from various universities in the investment process, providing them with hands-on experience in venture capital.
Value beyond capital
UVF provides a unique value-add by involving students in the investment process, offering them practical experience in venture capital. The fund also leverages its network and expertise to support portfolio companies in achieving their growth and impact objectives.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Seed · Series A · Series B
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
Availability
- Currently deploying
- No
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 24
- Recorded notable exits
- Omniture and Infinera
Portfolio context
UVF has made notable investments through its two funds: UVF I and UVF II. UVF I, which closed in 2004 with $18.2 million, made 24 investments and achieved 10 exits, including 5 IPOs and 6 acquisitions. UVF II continues this legacy with a focus on impact investing, having invested in companies like Navigen Pharmaceuticals and Blackrock Neurotech.
Capability profile
University Venture Fund as a community
Community overview
The University Venture Fund (UVF) is a student-run investment fund that operates under the Venture & Impact Investing Program at the Sorenson Impact Institute, based at the David Eccles School of Business in Salt Lake City, Utah. Established in 2004, UVF engages students in the investment process, allowing them to source, evaluate, and recommend investment opportunities. The fund is known for its focus on impact investing, aiming to deploy catalytic capital primarily in the Intermountain West region and beyond.
Community focus
UVF focuses on impact investing, emphasizing social good alongside financial returns. The fund is generalist in nature but has a geographic bias toward the Intermountain West, particularly Utah. It engages students from various universities, including the University of Utah, BYU, Westminster College, and Wharton, in the investment process.
Member value
Members of UVF gain hands-on experience in venture capital, learning to source and evaluate investment opportunities while working alongside professional managing directors. This unique student-operator model provides valuable insights into the investment process and fosters professional development in the field of impact investing.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Students · Founders
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Seed · Seed+
- Regions
- North America
Community activity
Notable members
Notable members include Jim Sorenson, Meredith Shields, Taylor Randall, Mike Dutton, Brad Dickson, and Lewis Hower, all of whom serve on the Investment Committee.
Common questions
What to know about University Venture Fund
Upseed classifies University Venture Fund under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 23, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.