This year, Utah is ranked in the top 10 states for innovation.
When most people think of Utah, they picture the extraordinary red rock arches or world-class ski resorts. Little do they know, Utah has a rich history of groundbreaking inventions, contributing to breakthroughs such as the artificial heart, television technology and modern traffic lights. Here are 10 Utah innovations that caught our attention over the past year.
Have you contributed to a recent innovative product, process, event, organization or initiative that deserves the spotlight? Utah Business Innovation Awards nominations are open through July 15, 2026. Help your invention go down in Utah history.
1. Wi-Fi corded phone
The Wiley Home Phone brings back the nostalgic corded landline into the modern age with Wi-Fi capabilities. Created by Utah parents looking for a safe, screen-free way to connect with their family and friends, this clever invention completely bypasses the addictive nature of modern smartphones.
2. Standing wheelchairs
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Matia Mobility is opening new doors to independence with its revolutionary TEK RMD, a robotic device that allows wheelchair users to safely stand up and navigate the world at eye level. This game-changing Utah innovation was recently added to the Blue Cross Blue Shield network and officially approved to supply devices to disabled U.S. veterans.
3. Mental health support chatbot
ElizaChat is a pioneer in responsible AI and tackling Utah’s severe school counselor shortage. Built with rigid safety parameters, this AI-powered platform differentiates itself from typical addictive AI companions that are engineered to maximize screen time. Instead, it mirrors professional real-world boundaries to provide a 24/7 resource for struggling teenagers.
4. Sustainable dress shirts
&Collar takes the traditional stiff dress shirt and transforms it into a comfortable, stain-resistant and eco-friendly wardrobe staple. Engineered by a Utah entrepreneur, the shirts are woven from a fabric made of recycled plastic bottles. The result is a wrinkle-proof shirt that feels like athletic wear and is ready for the office.
5. Reusable moisture-removal tech
Instead of dunking your phone into rice, DRYOUT developed a patented moisture-removal technology that can save soaked electronics or protect firearms from rust. This advanced fabric actively pulls moisture out of tight spaces, absorbing 3,400 times more moisture than a traditional silica gel packet.
6. AI-powered crime prevention
LiveView Technologies is transforming public safety from passive recording to active crime prevention. These solar-powered mobile security units are equipped with agentic AI that identifies suspicious behavior before it happens. Instead of generic alarms, the units use generative AI to broadcast a custom audio command, talking directly to potential trespassers.
7. Precision neurovascular surgery equipment
In stroke treatment, every second counts. Scientia Vascular is manufacturing revolutionary microcatheters and guidewires that allow neurosurgeons to navigate the brain’s complex blood vessels without invasive surgery. This local innovation recently culminated in a landmark $550 million acquisition by global giant Medtronic.
8. Human-assisted e-commerce robots
Blue Collar Robotics is cutting supermarket expenses by skipping costly AI systems in favor of affordable and human-assisted robots. Operating out of Lehi, this local startup is directly tackling the high costs of curbside pickup. The team is already gaining industry traction and is set to launch a pilot program with a major grocery chain later this year.
9. Protein ice cream bars
Making protein fun and convenient, Tuff Pops packs 12 grams of protein into an ice cream treat. Frustrated by fitness snacks loaded with artificial sweeteners, stabilizers and gums, Utah founder Mallory Stevens spent years perfecting a recipe for real ice cream with a functional twist.
10. Underground geothermal power generation
Salt Lake City’s Rodatherm Energy Corporation is revolutionizing clean energy. While traditional geothermal energy requires massive water consumption and risks, Rodatherm operates as a waterless, closed-loop heat pump buried deep in the earth. This breakthrough recently secured a $38 million Series A funding round, the largest first-round venture raise for a geothermal startup in history.
