Meet Our Affiliates

Affiliates

Todd Pedersen

Founder of Vivint | Invest Nest Competition Judge

Todd Pedersen, the visionary Founder of Vivint, has been a trailblazer in the smart home and security industry for over two decades.

With a keen understanding of market needs and a passion for technological innovation, Pedersen established Vivint with the mission of simplifying and enhancing the lives of homeowners. Under his leadership, the company has grown exponentially and has become one of the largest home automation and security providers in North America, serving over a million customers.

Todd’s dedication to creating user-centric, intelligent solutions has garnered numerous accolades, positioning Vivint as a leader in the industry. A respected entrepreneur and philanthropist, Todd Pedersen’s impact on the smart home market has been both transformative and lasting.

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Click Lizi’s photo to see a video message about the competition.

Affiliates

Lizi Heaps

The Food Nanny | Invest Nest Competition Judge & Mentor

Lizi Heaps, affectionately known as The Food Nanny, is a celebrated culinary expert and television personality who champions the importance of meal planning and home cooking.

Drawing from her mother Liz Edmunds’ legacy, Lizi shares her passion for wholesome, delectable meals through her popular blog, cookbook, and social media channels. Focused on family traditions and fostering connections around the dinner table, she has inspired a multitude of households to embrace the pleasure of cooking and the significance of shared meals.

With her warm, engaging approach, Lizi Heaps has become a cherished figure in the realms of food and family living.

Affiliates

Mike Glauser

Executive Director of The Center for Entrepreneurship at Utah State University, Huntsman school of business | Invest Nest judge.

Mike has extensive experience as a successful entrepreneur, business consultant, and university professor. He is the founder and former chairman of Golden Swirl Management Company and a founder of Northern Lights. Both companies were sold to CoolBrands International, a world leader in the frozen dessert industry. Mike has consulted with numerous corporations in the areas of business strategy, market research, organizational effectiveness, and leadership development. His clients have included Associated Food Stores, The Boeing Company, Clinical Innovations, Department of Workforce Services, Esso of Inter-America, Harmon Music Group, Saudi Consolidated Services, and USANA Health Sciences.

Mike has held faculty positions at the University of North Carolina, the University of Petroleum & Minerals, and Westminster College. He has designed and taught courses in business strategy, entrepreneurship, management, organizational behavior, and small business consulting. Mike has published numerous articles in professional journals and magazines and published three books on entrepreneurship: Glorious Accidents, The Business of Heart, and Main Street Entrepreneur, which chronicles his 4,000 bicycle ride across America to interview remarkable entrepreneurs who have successfully merged livelihood and lifestyle in places they want to live. He has appeared on Great Day America, First Business from Washington, The G. Gordon Liddy Show, Voice of America, Kansas City Live, Good Morning Chicago, Associated Press Radio, and many other radio and TV programs.

Affiliates

Alex Bean

Managing Partner at Tandem Ventures

Alex Bean is a managing partner at Tandem Ventures, an investment group focused on leveraging operator experience to drive investments in promising startups.

  
Before Tandem Ventures, Alex co-founded Divvy, a revolutionary business expense and budget management platform. Under his guidance, Divvy experienced meteoric growth quickly, leading to an impressive $2.5 billion exit. This achievement underscored Alex’s knack for innovation and strategic growth and cemented his reputation as a leading figure in the fintech industry.

Alex has been married to his wife Megan for 15 years, and they have four children, two girls, and two boys. Alex enjoys playing golf, pickleball, skiing, and spending time with his family and friends.

Affiliates

Utah State University

Affiliate

Inspired by John M. Huntsman’s values of ethical leadership, analytical rigor, global vision, and entrepreneurial spirit, the Huntsman School of Business prepares the next generation of students to become the best and brightest business leaders and entrepreneurs.

The Covey Leadership Center, inspired by Stephen R. Covey’s timeless principles, empowers individuals with transformative leadership skills. Simultaneously, the Entrepreneurship Center nurtures start-ups across Utah State University, providing them with resources, opportunities, and mentorship to bring their ideas to life and to bring value to the broader community. In partnership with Invest Nest, these centers create a collaborative and supportive environment that fuels innovation, resilience, and strategic foresight.

These centers, alongside the Huntsman School, are passionate about creating a vision of a better future, while actively working to make it a reality.