Venture Capitalist Paul Ahlstrom Inspires UVU Students to Embrace Challenges and Pursue Ambitious Ideas with Purpose

Author and entrepreneur Paul Ahlstrom joined Utah Valley University's Halladay Executive Lecture Series to share 30 years of lessons on thinking big, navigating through entrepreneurial challenges, and creating purpose-driven businesses.

   

Utah Valley University welcomed Paul Ahlstrom, venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and author, as a guest speaker for the Reed and Christine Halladay Entrepreneurship Lecture Series. 

A grid-style collage with three images. From left to right: Paul Ahlstrom speaks to the audience while standing onstage at Vallejo Auditorium during the Reed and Christine Halladay Executive Lecture Series; Paul Ahlstrom stands onstage, silhouetted by the presentation screen behind him, which reads, “Wouldn’t It Be More Fun To Go To The Moon?”; Paul Ahlstrom delivers his lecture while holding a small remote in one hand during the Reed and Christine Halladay Executive Lecture Series.

With more than 30 years of experience as both an entrepreneur and investor, Ahlstrom shared lessons from his career centered around thinking big, embracing challenges, and building businesses with a clear mission. 

From Campus Ventures to Career Entrepreneur: Learning by Doing 

Ahlstrom began by reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, explaining that he has been starting businesses since he was young. Some ventures succeeded while others failed, but he emphasized that every challenge provides an opportunity to learn and grow. His college years reflected this mindset, as he pursued a variety of ventures — ranging from clubs and events to nonprofit organizations — gaining hands-on experience that could not be learned solely in a classroom. 

While delivering his lecture at the Reed and Christine Halladay Executive Lecture Series, Paul Ahlstrom stands onstage pointing toward a large projection screen that reads, "How to Fix a Broken Model", with a small flowchart beneath it.

Think Big: Why Ambitious Ideas Are the Foundation of Meaningful Impact 

A major theme of Ahlstrom's message was the importance of thinking big. He challenged students not to limit their ideas or ambitions, emphasizing that individuals have the ability to make a meaningful impact when they are willing to think beyond what seems immediately possible. His own career reflected this mindset as he built experience through technology companies before transitioning into venture capital. 

From Tech Entrepreneur to Venture Capitalist: Managing Over $1 Billion Across 150+ Companies 

After selling his final technology company, Ahlstrom entered the venture capital industry with a desire to help growing companies overcome the barriers that can prevent them from reaching their potential. Through ventures including Alta Ventures, Alta Growth Capital, Northgate Mexico, and vSpring Capital, he has helped manage more than $1 billion across more than 150 companies. Throughout his career, Ahlstrom has maintained a strong focus on supporting companies that are working toward meaningful missions. 
A grid-style collage with three images. From left to right: Two students sitting side by side share a laugh while listening to the lecture in Vallejo Auditorium; A student speaks into a microphone during the Q&A portion of the lecture; A student sits in Vallejo Auditorium, listening to Paul Ahlstrom’s lecture at the Reed and Christine Executive Lecture Series.

"Nail It Then Scale It": Practical Tools for Building and Growing a Business 

Ahlstrom also introduced students to ideas from his book "Nail It Then Scale It" and the Big Idea Canvas, sharing practical principles for developing and growing businesses. He emphasized the importance of getting the foundation of a business right before attempting to scale it, giving students tools they can apply to their own ideas and ventures. 

A Mission Bigger Than Business: Disrupting Hollywood, Ending Poverty, and Curing Cancer 

Ahlstrom concluded by reinforcing the importance of being mission-driven. He shared the missions behind his own work — including disrupting Hollywood, ending poverty, and curing cancer — and challenged students to think about what larger purpose can guide their own careers and businesses. 

Paul Ahlstrom poses with UVU students, staff, and faculty onstage in front of a projection screen displaying the text, “Think Big!” at Vallejo Auditorium during the Reed and Christine Executive Lecture Series at UVU.

The Woodbury School of Business thanks Paul Ahlstrom for sharing his experience and perspective with UVU students. His message reinforced the value of embracing challenges, thinking beyond limitations, and pursuing ambitious ideas with a clear and meaningful mission. 

Want to catch every insight from this year’s Halladay Lecture Series?

LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL fall 2026 HALLADAY LECTURE SERIES SPEAKERS HERE.

Watch Paul Ahlstrom's full lecture below.

 
 
 

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