Silicon Slopes

Silicon Slopes is a Utah based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization led by predominantly Latter Day Saint technology and business leaders that promotes and advertises high tech real estate and technology ventures along the Wasatch Front. Silicon slopes is mainly centered north of Lehi, Utah at Thanksgiving Point, but now is also understood to encompass high tech companies anywhere along the Wasatch Front.^[1][2]

The Silicon Slopes area centered around Lehi, Utah is a major economic center for technology and innovation businesses. Between the cities of Salt Lake City and Provo and their surrounding suburbs, it corresponds roughly to the geographical area of the Wasatch Front between Salt Lake City and Provo. Served by the Salt Lake City International Airport and less than a two-hour flight from Silicon Valley, California, Silicon Slopes has been recognized in news media as a growing hub for tech employment and startup formation.^[3][4][5]

Although often compared to Silicon Valley, Silicon Slopes lacks the workforce diversity and climate of equality and inclusiveness which exists in Silicon Valley. Due to the strong influence of the Mormon Church in the area, women, LGBT, and minorities face significant challenges in the workplace in Utah and discrimination in pay and other benefits. Salt Lake City is somewhat more inclusive than Utah Valley where Silicon Slopes is based, which is over 90% Latter Day Saint in terms of population. Incidents of antisemitism and discrimination of LGBT and women have been reported in the Silicon Slopes workplace. The Silicon Slopes job market is also reported to be over-hyped in comparison to Silicon Valley.^{[6][7][8] [9] [10][11][12]}