A Local Small Business Whose Technology Is Out of this World

OxEon Energy is a Utah-based business doing big things locally and on other planets. In October 2023, the company’s flight hardware device, integral to the NASA Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE), was recognized as one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2023. With a team of world-renowned engineers and scientists, OxEon provides transformative systems that have the potential to revolutionize clean fuel production for the world. 

Jessica Elwell, chief operating officer, says the need for their business emerged from long-standing work in developing technologies that convert carbon dioxide and water into fuel. 

“Our pivotal moment came when we supplied flight hardware for NASA’s MOXIE program, which aimed to produce oxygen on Mars,” she says. “It became evident that our technology had matured and offered significant advantages, positioning us to work toward commercial systems that could reduce carbon emissions in fuel production and promote energy independence from fossil fuels. Recognizing the urgency to transition from development to manufacturing, we established OxEon Energy to bring the systems to market and put them into practical use.”

Elwell says the company aims to enhance the lives of not just its customers, but energy consumers in general, with a mission to deliver energy independence and sustainable energy sources to positively impact society.

“Every team member plays a part in addressing issues with innovative solutions,” she says. “Picture starting your workday, knowing you’re entrusted with tackling some of the most complex problems relating to Earth and space, and you are privileged to collaborate with a team united by a shared mission. It’s quite amazing!”

Elwell says in the beginning, OxEon encountered fierce competition for talent with major aerospace corporations in Salt Lake, all while operating with bootstrapped funding. 

“However, every obstacle we encountered has been effectively surmounted, thanks to our exceptional team,” she says. “Our people have driven technological innovation and also devised strategies for competing with large corporations while operating on a smaller scale.”

Elwell says gratefully, their company has had the honor of collaborating with Andrew Willis from the Kaysville SBDC. 

“Words can hardly capture the extent of the support we’ve received from the SBDC over the past year and a half,” she says. “Through regular contact, he has informed us about incredible opportunities we might have otherwise overlooked and extended support in ways that exceeded our expectations. Being able to reach out when we’ve encountered obstacles has given us an immense advantage.”

In addition, Elwell says the SBDC has offered crucial connections within state and federal government agencies, including facilitating a pivotal meeting with Administrator Guzman, a member of President Biden’s cabinet, who leads the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

“Each meeting with our SBDC significantly expanded our network and enhanced our available resources,” she says.

When asked about her advice for other small businesses, Elwell says to learn about resources. 

“They are out there, but you need to do the work to find them,” she says. “We have been astounded by the support we have found, for free, in so many areas of growing our business. The SBDC has been a great door opener for us!”