Sharing how his vision and grit helps him scale top brands, Savory Fund Managing Director and Co-Founder Andrew K. Smith is set to be the next featured speaker in Utah Tech University’s Elkington Founder Speaker Series.
Smith, who along with the Savory team is dedicated to investing in people and operators in their approach to grow brands and properties, will present at noon on Jan. 22 in the Zion Room, located on the fifth floor of the Holland Centennial Commons on the Utah Tech campus. Prior to Smith’s keynote address, a networking opportunity will begin at 11:30 a.m., offering attendees time to connect with peers and professionals before the featured presentation. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited so early arrival is encouraged.
“Utah Tech is honored to host Andrew K. Smith, whose entrepreneurial vision and leadership continue to inspire innovation across industries,” Dr. Chris Guymon, Utah Tech’s interim provost and vice president for academics, said. “His journey exemplifies the kind of creativity, resilience and forward-thinking that we encourage in our students.”
As the driving force behind Savory Fund, Smith oversees a portfolio exceeding $750 million in assets, investing in fast-growing restaurant brands such as Swig, Mo’ Bettahs, Houston TX Hot Chicken, South Block and Hawkers Asian Street Food. Prior to co-founding Savory, Smith began his career as an entrepreneur and tech CEO at the age of 23, co-founding three technology companies between 1998 and 2009, each of which exited through private or public transactions.
Smith has been recognized for his entrepreneurial achievements, including being honored with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2017, KPMG’s Quantum Award and the UV50 Triple Crown Award in 2018. Outside of his business, Smith is a devoted family man and has been married for 26 years to Shauna Smith, and they have two sons and a daughter-in-law.
“Andrew K. Smith represents the essence of what it means to be a visionary entrepreneur,” Dr. Linda Yu, Dean of Utah Tech’s College of Business, said. “His ability to combine innovation, purpose and perseverance offers a powerful example to our students who aspire to lead and create meaningful impact in their own fields.”
The Elkington Founder Speaker Series brings distinguished professionals and entrepreneurs to Utah Tech University each semester, providing students with insights into career paths, leadership and innovation. Area business entity Plantsin is the gold sponsor of the 2024-25 Elkington Founder Speaker Series.
“As the world of innovation keeps rapidly evolving, it’s vital that we unite experts from technology, business and the community to spark meaningful conversations and drive positive change,” Wendy Elkington Stabler, co-founder and organizer of the event, said. “This series offers a fantastic chance for the university and community to come together, collaborate and explore new possibilities in order to shape the future side by side.”
For more information about the Elkington Founder Speaker Series, visit innovation.utahtech.edu/elkington.