Private Equity

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University Growth Fund

University Growth Fund is a student-led venture firm in Salt Lake City that places undergraduates on investment committees for early-stage deals.

University Growth Fund logo

University Growth Fund

University Growth Fund is a private equity fund focused on education-based investments. It provides students with real-world experience through investments alongside top-tier investors. The firm has made 22 investments, including a Series C investment in Zanskar on January 21, 2026.

General information

Firm type

Private Equity

Year founded

AUM

Undisclosed

Location

Region

North America

Country

United States

City

Salt Lake City

Corporate office

Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Sector focus

Enterprise SoftwareFinTechDigital HealthConsumer Tech

Frequently asked questions

How does University Growth Fund's student-led model actually work in practice?

Undergraduate analysts from partner universities screen deals, conduct due diligence, and present investment memos to a committee that includes professional venture partners. Students hold real voting power on capital allocation decisions, not simulated portfolio assignments. The structure aims to produce investment returns while training the next generation of venture investors.

Which universities feed analysts into UGF?

Confirmed participation draws from Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, and the University of Utah. The firm may have relationships with additional campuses, but these three are the core pipeline schools in the Intermountain West.

What investment stages does University Growth Fund target?

UGF focuses on seed and early-stage venture rounds, typically as a smaller check participant in syndicated deals or as a lead on pre-seed raises. The firm does not publicly disclose a formal stage mandate or check-size range.

Does UGF have any relationship to university endowments?

Despite the name, University Growth Fund is not the venture arm of any university endowment. It is an independent fund that draws its name from its workforce composition — undergraduate students — rather than any formal tie to a university's investment office.

How does UGF's model compare to other student-run funds like Dorm Room Fund?

Dorm Room Fund is backed by First Round Capital and invests exclusively in student-founded companies. UGF operates an independent fund structure, accepts capital from external limited partners, and deploys across the broader early-stage ecosystem, not just student founders. The committee architecture and geographic focus on Utah also differentiate it.

What is UGF's known posture on follow-on investing?

UGF has not publicly detailed a follow-on reserve strategy. Given the small-fund, early-stage profile standard in student-run models, follow-on capacity is likely limited unless structured through special purpose vehicles or pro-rata rights negotiated at initial investment.

Who are the professional venture partners overseeing student teams?

Specific names of UGF's professional investment committee members are not publicly documented. The firm's website and press materials have not named the GPs or managing partners who sit alongside student analysts on investment decisions.

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