Founder Friday: Kickstart Founder Gavin Christensen on Utah as a Startup Hub

In this live-recorded episode of the Utah Business Magazine podcast, executive editor Catherine Bennett sits down with Gavin Christensen, the founder and managing partner of Kickstart—Utah’s premier seed-stage venture capital firm.

Gavin shares his journey from a "military brat" living in a double-wide trailer in New Mexico to becoming the first Utahn ever to chair the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). Gavin pulls back the curtain on the early days of Kickstart, reflecting on launching an $8 million fund right as the 2008 financial crisis hit, what he learned from a first fund that didn't quite hit the mark, and how those hard-fought lessons paved the way for massive future success.

This event was sponsored by Kiln and Northwestern Mutual. 

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The Utah Business podcast highlights the big ideas, remarkable innovations, and extraordinary people who drive the Beehive State’s nation-leading economic success. Each episode brings you in-depth conversations with Utah’s leading entrepreneurs, innovators, and business mavericks, uncovering the strategies and passion that fuel their achievements. Join us to discover how these pioneering individuals are shaping Utah’s business present — and future.