Ever wondered how to start a successful national brand? Utah Business features inspiring stories in our weekly Founders Series, highlighting exceptional Utah-based brands. Join us for Founder Fridays, where each month, a founder shares their journey, insights, and future goals in an intimate setting. Tickets are free, but seating is limited to 140, reserve yours today!
Learn more about Mike Littledike:
Michael founded Capita Financial Network in 2008 with the vision of creating a collection of financial professionals to build a complete wealth management experience for the clients of Capita. Capita Financial Network continues to grow as the company fulfills its mission to "create the optimal wealth management experience". Mike spends most of his time building the company, finding strategic partnerships, presenting on financial topics, and building adventure packed events for like minded business owners to synergize together. Mike lives life fully through travel, high adventure, and his ranch in Texas.
Real examples from JobNimbus, YESCO, Philo Ventures and LGCY Power—cutting costs, improving processes and generating revenue. Join five leaders from sign manufacturing, solar, software, investing and IT services for a firsthand look at how AI has changed their work, their companies and their careers. They’ll share actual use cases: the problems they tackled, what they built or changed, and what happened next. Hear how their responsibilities evolved, how their companies put AI into daily operations, and where that work is saving money or generating revenue. What we’ll cover How AI has changed their daily work, responsibilities and career paths. Where AI is saving money and removing manual work inside their companies. How they’re using AI to grow revenue and improve customer outreach. How they choose which business problems are worth solving with AI. What it took to move from experiments into everyday operations—and how their teams’ work changed. We’ll also cover how to protect company data and manage security and system access along the way. Meet the panel Brian Henson — AI Platform Lead, JobNimbus A 2026 Utah AI 100 honoree, sharing real use cases from his work leading AI platform development at JobNimbus. Jordan Strong — AI Strategy & Innovation, YESCO Pitched his CEO on AI and became the AI strategy lead at a 106-year-old sign company. Now drives AI across sales and operations, helping YESCO decide what to build, buy and prioritize. Scott Evanson — General Partner, Philo Ventures Buying and building boring companies where AI does high-impact work. Russ Page — Chief Marketing Officer, LGCY Power Building an AI platform that turns strategy into messaging, campaigns, customer outreach and analysis at scale. Your moderator Jeremy Roos — Founder & CEO, Tech Legion Built Tech Legion into an IT partner for 100+ businesses. Helps leaders understand which AI tools their teams use, what company data those tools can access and how to keep that data protected. For business ow
Play some padel, meet other leaders, and grab some refreshments! This networking night is the place for hard tech leaders to connect and unwind at Utah's premier padel venue, with plenty of room for relaxing and conversation. New to Padel? Don't worry, there will be dozens of people here who have never played. The owner of Conquer Padel has graciously offered 4 of their coaches to help explain the rules and strategies of the game. They will also outfit you to try the sport - racquet included! Not interested in playing? Come anyways! There will be plenty of food, dessert, networking, and areas to spectate. Hard Tech Networking Night is hosted by Johnny Dance, Trent Mano, and Ben Lonsdale. The event is also sponsored by Fresh Consulting, Convoi Ventures, Tanner LLC, and Wells Fargo. If you are interested in being an additional sponsor for the event, please reach out to Johnny Dance.
Join the \[slack community\]\(https://forgeutah\.tech\) email miriah@theforge.tech if you want to speak Schedule: 6:30-6:45 pm: arrive, eat 6:45pm announcements 7:00pm - 7:45 speakers 7:45-8:30 pm networking