Sharing from his experience of building businesses, Ryan Westwood, an investor, founder and public company director, will speak as part of Utah Tech University’s Elkington Founder Speaker Series this semester.
Westwood’s address is set to take place at noon on Sept. 7 in the Main Stage Theatre of the Eccles Fine Arts Center on the Utah Tech University campus. The event is open to the public, and pizza will be provided before the event from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
“This is a chance to listen to an entrepreneur who has successfully taken an idea to a million-plus dollar enterprise,” April Ficklin, executive assistant for academic affairs at Utah Tech University, said. “How did he do it? What’s his secret?”
Westwood is a tech entrepreneur who has successfully exited three companies, including Simplus, which he co-founded and grew from $0 to more than $400 million in revenue before it merged with ecosystem business Infosys. Currently, Westwood is a public and private company director and author of the book, “The Five Characteristics of a Successful Entrepreneur.” He has been both Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Utah Business CEO of the Year. Additionally, Comparably named him as one of the top CEOs in America for Women in 2021.
The Elkington Founder Speaker Series will feature two addresses this fall. Next to speak is Kraig Kleeman, founder and executive producer of Rock The C-Suite and founder and CEO of The New Workforce. Kleeman will speak on Oct. 5 also at noon in the Eccles Main Stage Theatre.
Utah Tech University’s Elkington Founder Speaker Series is offered as part of the university’s polytechnic approach to education. This model emphasizes hands-on learning and career preparation in line with Utah Tech’s commitment to providing open, inclusive and comprehensive educational opportunities to students and community members alike. Learn more at utahtech.edu/polytech.