Peter Callister

Peter is a passionate about innovation and economic growth and views venture capital as a driver of macroeconomic growth and improved quality of life. Over the years, he has built programs and initiatives to drive startups, drawing on extensive experience as an investor and advisor. Through his with venture capital and angel groups, he has helped with hundreds of founders navigate the challenges of building successful businesses.

At Kinect Capital (formerly VentureCapital.Org, Wayne Brown Institute), he designed and implemented comprehensive mentor, education, and accelerator programs that assisted startups close millions in seed funding. When the organization faced funding shortfalls related to macroeconomic conditions, Peter revamped and realigned organizational KPIs to attract new funding, ensuring its sustainability and impact in a rapidly changing environment.

Peter started his career at USTAR, now part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. He helped start and manage angel groups (Park City and SLC Angels), bridging the gap between early-stage companies and capital, while providing founders with access to strategic mentorship and resources. His expertise extends beyond program development, encompassing operational excellence, transparency in reporting, investment strategy, and business advisory roles.

Peter recently launched the Senatus Fund, an seed stage venture fund focused on investing in startups with diverse teams. Peter has seen first-hand how experienced and diverse teams deliver substantially greater returns throughout his career. Peter believes his investment approach of finding and identified diverse teams, supplementing their experience with talent and connections, will drive superior returns.