Trent Mano: Betting on Freak Founders and Building Utah's Tech Future

Trent Mano is all-in on Utah. As co-founder and general partner at Convoi Ventures—and the force behind Utah Tech Week—Trent is investing in the next generation of breakout startups and reshaping what early-stage venture looks like in the Mountain West. In this episode, Chase Murdock sits down with Trent to explore his unlikely path into venture capital, from struggling through college to launching a VC fund without a billion-dollar exit or Ivy League pedigree. Trent shares how his obsession with community and long-term relationships paved the way to Convoi Ventures, how he defines "freak founders," and why he's so bullish on Utah's next chapter. They dive deep into: The gap in early-stage venture capital in Utah—and Convoi's thesis to fill it What makes a founder truly exceptional (hint: it's not just intelligence) How to spot product-market fit before the product even exists The underrated power of honest communication and trust in failure The birth of Utah Tech Week and what it signals about the state's growing ecosystem Whether you're a founder navigating the early innings, an investor looking to spot future unicorns, or simply bullish on what's next for Utah, this episode is packed with insight, humility, and heart. Learn more about Durable on our website.