A farm kid who learned to “leave the field only when the work is done” found his way into venture capital, helped power Utah’s tech ascent, and said “ok” to a family decision that would change lives at Primary Children’s Hospital. Join us as we sit down with Peleon Venture Partners’ managing partner, Blake Modersitzki, to unpack how unlikely turns—security guard shifts at WordPerfect, a move to New York, mentorship from Eric Schmidt at Novell—shaped a durable investing lens focused on bold founders and real fundamentals.

We dive into the DNA of Silicon Slopes, from ARPANET roots and University of Utah breakthroughs to WordPerfect, Novell, Omniture, Divi, and beyond. Blake lays out five waves of growth and explains what truly differentiates Utah: fierce competition paired with a reflex to help. That community advantage lets founders build global companies without uprooting teams to the Bay. We examine why cycles matter, why 2024–2025 could be prime building years, and how discipline—profitability, cash efficiency, clean unit economics—returns once the “tourists” leave. Blake also shares why Peleon hires like a championship team, bringing in seasoned operators to coach, scout, and scale.

Then we go personal. Blake and his wife Sandy recently made a $10 million gift to Primary Children’s, a commitment rooted in a niece lost to cancer and a family legacy nearly erased by war in Poland. With wise nudges from Gail Miller, they chose to give publicly to spark more giving. It’s a conversation about impact, not optics; about building companies that dent the world and communities that lift the next generation.

If you care about Utah’s startup ecosystem, venture capital, founder traits that endure, and the power of public generosity, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s building, and leave a review with the insight that challenged you most.

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