The Utah Signal

ISSUE 13 · WEEKLY BRIEFING

Hard Tech Week puts Utah’s hard-tech companies in the spotlight

Utah aerospace expertise is heading to the bobsled track. Hard Tech Week put the companies behind that collaboration alongside new developments in space, energy, healthcare software and grid policy.

October 26–November 1, 2026Jefferson Moss 7 min read

THIS WEEK’S SIGNAL

Albany Engineered Composites, Hexcel and Nammo Composite Solutions are bringing their materials and manufacturing know-how to the next generation of USA Bobsled/Skeleton sleds, in a partnership brought together by 47G during Hard Tech Week. The collaboration captures the week’s broader story: Utah companies applying deep expertise across industries and getting a bigger platform through 47G and Utah Tech Week.

01

HARD TECH · AEROSPACE & ADVANCED MATERIALS

Hard Tech Week puts Utah companies and capabilities on a bigger stage

Held October 26–30, Hard Tech Week featured companies and organizations working in aerospace, defense, advanced materials, manufacturing, robotics and energy. Fortem Technologies, Moog, Karman Space & Defense, Hexcel, Albany Engineered Composites and Lion Energy were among the companies featured across the week. One standout collaboration brought together 47G, USA Bobsled/Skeleton, Albany, Hexcel and Nammo Composite Solutions to apply Utah aerospace and composites expertise to the team’s next-generation sleds. The hackathon brought builders together around real industry problems. Nucleus and GOED’s Startup State initiative, led by Tyler Jennings, supported the open challenge, while Torus sponsored a separate energy-and-AI challenge.

Speakers in a panel discussion at a 47G Zero Gravity Summit
A panel discussion at a 47G Zero Gravity Summit; archival event photo. Photo: 47G

Why it matters

These companies work in industries that need specialized talent, manufacturing, testing and suppliers. Hard Tech Week helped people see how those capabilities fit together in Utah and gave the companies a stronger platform for new partnerships.

What to watch

Follow the bobsled collaboration as the companies move from prototypes toward athlete testing, and watch for new partnerships emerging from the week.

Read the sourceUSA Bobsled/Skeleton partnership announcementOfficial sourceHard Tech Week calendar and company showcases · 47GOfficial sourceReport on the bobsled collaboration · Deseret News
02

SPACE · STUDENT ENGINEERING

Utah Tech students advance a CubeSat with a potential water-resource mission

Utah Tech University students have designed and begun testing a student-built 3U CubeSat. The proposed mission would use a thermal-infrared camera to map surface temperatures across Utah at roughly 65–75-meter resolution, data that could contribute to water-resource management. The team plans to apply to NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative in 2028, with a possible 2029 launch if selected.

The student-built Utah Tech 3U CubeSat
Utah Tech students designed, built and began testing the satellite’s core systems. Photo: Utah NASA Space Grant Consortium

Why it matters

The project gives Utah students hands-on experience in spacecraft design and testing while developing a tool aimed at a distinct Utah challenge. It also connects student engineering with a NASA launch pathway and potential real-world use.

What to watch

The team’s NASA launch initiative application and continued development of the satellite’s communication, control and scientific systems.

Read the sourceCubeSat development update · Utah NASA Space Grant ConsortiumOfficial sourceNASA CubeSat Launch Initiative
03

ENERGY · COMMUNITY CLEAN ENERGY

Utah Community Clean Energy Program sets a January launch

Utah Renewable Communities and Rocky Mountain Power plan to launch the Community Clean Energy Program in January 2027. Customers in 16 participating communities will be automatically enrolled, with the option to leave. Residential customers who remain enrolled will see a $4 monthly charge; eligible households in the HELP program will pay no monthly or exit fee. Two solar projects are in final contract negotiations, with initial resources expected to connect to the grid between 2028 and 2030.

Solar panels overlooking a Utah valley and mountain range
Solar arrays are among the resources Utah Renewable Communities is advancing through the program. Photo: Utah Renewable Communities

Why it matters

The program brings local governments, a utility and energy developers together to support new projects on Utah’s grid. It gives participating communities and customers a direct role in that buildout.

What to watch

Customer notices are expected in November. The next major milestones are the January program launch and final agreements for the two solar projects.

Read the sourceProgram launch announcement · Utah Renewable CommunitiesOfficial sourceProgram details · Rocky Mountain Power
04

CAPITAL · PRIVATE EQUITY BUYOUT

Francisco Partners completes its acquisition of Lehi-based Weave

Francisco Partners completed its all-cash acquisition of Weave on October 26. The Lehi-based healthcare patient-engagement and payments software company was acquired in a transaction valued at approximately $650 million.

Why it matters

The deal is a significant private-equity transaction involving a Utah-founded software company. It shows how Utah businesses can grow to attract national investors and continue developing products for broader markets.

What to watch

Weave is now privately held. Its next chapter will show how Francisco Partners supports product development and growth.

Read the sourceCompletion announcement filed with the SEC
05

ENERGY · GRID POLICY

Utah regulators open another round on electrical interconnection rules

On October 29, the Utah Public Service Commission opened an opportunity to submit proposed amendments to the state’s electrical interconnection rule. Torus has filed comments supporting a process that accounts for energy storage. The commission has opened a rulemaking step; no new rule has been adopted.

Why it matters

Interconnection rules affect how new energy projects connect to the grid. A clear process can help utilities, developers and technology companies plan projects and bring useful resources online.

What to watch

The next signal will be the proposed amendments and comments filed in the commission’s docket.

Read the sourceElectrical interconnection docket · Utah Public Service CommissionOfficial sourceOctober 29 notice of opportunity and comment period · Utah PSC

THE STATEWIDE SIGNAL

Hard tech’s value is taking shape across Utah’s business network.

These industries create work for engineers, technicians, manufacturers and specialized suppliers. They also give research and talent more ways to connect with companies, customers and public-sector partners. Hard Tech Week made those relationships easier to see, from aerospace materials applied to bobsleds to student-built space technology and energy projects moving toward the grid.

MY READ

My Thoughts

What stood out to me about Hard Tech Week was the range of companies and capabilities on display. Utah has a strong software ecosystem, and its hard-tech community is growing alongside it. These companies need engineers, technicians, manufacturers and specialized suppliers. Their work also creates more ways for research and talent to connect with real projects and customers. Utah has been building in hard tech for years. The week made that work easier to see. I’m glad 47G and Utah Tech Week pulled it together and gave the companies a broader platform. The bobsled composites project was a good example of Utah expertise being applied to a practical challenge. This week’s deal tracker includes a private-equity buyout and three acquisitions.

Jefferson Moss

EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Coming up in Utah.

UTAH VENTURE CAPITAL & INVESTMENT

New deals this week

Utah startup funding, venture rounds, private-equity deals, buyouts, acquisitions and public offerings reported in this issue. Each deal is labeled by transaction type and industry sector, including areas such as AI, aerospace, space, life sciences, energy and advanced materials.

PRIVATE EQUITY · BUYOUT

INDUSTRY · HEALTHCARE SOFTWARE & PAYMENTS

Francisco Partners completes its acquisition of Weave

The Lehi-based healthcare patient-engagement and payments company was acquired in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $650 million. The deal closed October 26.

Source: Completion announcement filed with the SEC

STRATEGIC ACQUISITION

INDUSTRY · MEDICAL DEVICES & CARDIAC THERAPIES

Merit Medical acquires Solo Pace

South Jordan-based Merit Medical announced the acquisition October 29. It closed October 13, with approximately $45 million paid for the remaining equity interests.

Source: Merit Medical 8-K · SEC

ACQUISITION

INDUSTRY · ENERGY SERVICES & MACHINING

Star Equity acquires Vernal machine shop PD Machine

Star Equity acquired the energy-services machine shop for $350,000 in cash and 75,000 preferred shares. The filing also describes a separate real-estate transaction.

Source: Star Equity investor relations

PRIVATE EQUITY · ADD-ON ACQUISITION

INDUSTRY · HOME SERVICES

Wheelhouse acquires All Star Garage Door

Announced October 29, the acquisition adds a family-owned operator serving California and Utah, including St. George and Park City. Terms were not disclosed.

Source: Acquisition announcement · PR Newswire

KEEP EXPLORING

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DECISIONS & DEADLINES

What to act on next.

WORTH YOUR TIME

Three more signals to read.

HARD TECH · AEROSPACEUSA Bobsled/Skeleton teams with Utah aerospace leadersUSA Bobsled/Skeleton SPACE · STUDENT ENGINEERINGUtah Tech students advance CubeSat developmentUtah NASA Space Grant Consortium ENERGY · COMMUNITY PROGRAMSUtah Community Clean Energy Program launches in JanuaryUtah Renewable Communities

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Five consequential developments, delivered with context and a clear statewide point of view.