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Startup Digest Startup Digest

Alaska

February 16, 2016

Hello Alaska Startup Community!
The goal of the Alaska Startup Digest is to provide you, Alaska's startup community with useful and meaningful event and resource information to promote community building, and navigate obstacles to improve probability for success in Alaska.

Head's up, Fairbanks!
Memberships for The Hub - Downtown Fairbanks co-working space for entrepreneurs, solopreneurs & creatives, available now! Go to: http://www.thehubfairbanks.com  

Big News for Potential Small Investors
Innovation Summit guest speaker, Michael Shuman, made a guest appearance at the state legislature last week, providing expert testimony in support of Senate Bill 126: Crowdsource Funding legislation currently being considered.  The proposed legislation a paradigm shift that stems from passage of the federal JOBS Act in 2012, already adopted by over a dozen states. If enacted, instead of only receiving large investments from a few "accredited" investors, Alaskans starting a business can receive small investments (no larger than $7,500) from a large group of investors. This makes it easier for entrepreneurs to access capital, and Alaskans to become equity investors in businesses in their state and communities. Enacting crowdinvesting is an innovative way to help business start-ups and could also open up capital to rural areas of Alaska. 
(See also, related SB 108 & HB 194, a wholesale update to the AK Securities Act).
As the bill moves through the Senate, public comment periods will be available. To hear the testimony and to learn more about SB 126, go to: http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Meeting/Detail/?Meeting=SL%26C 2016-02-11 13:30:00&Bill=SB 126 To learn more about Crowdfunding, go to: http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2014/08/21/states-clear-way-for-crowdfunding  

Juneau's 2016 Innovation Summit was a hit - with entrepreneurs, businesses, officials gathering in Juneau’s Centennial Hall, Feb 8 & 9th.  Pitch events highlighted local businesses, including single malt whisky distillery, Amalga (http://www.amalgadistillery.com/), Kenai drone service K2 Dronotics (http://www.k2dron.es/), and facilitated activities between public and private sector participants encouraged innovative solution generation. Guest speakers included economist, attorney, entrepreneur, and author, Michael Shuman (Local Dollars, Local Sense; The Local Economy Solution, etc.).

P2P Competition Award Winners Also Announced at Innovation Summit: 
Congratulations
to the winners of this year’s Path to Prosperity (P2P) sustainable business development competition in Southeast, AK: Mindy Anderson of The Salty Pantry Market & Deli, (https://www.facebook.com/thesaltypantry) specializing in rustic comfort dishes made with seasonal produce from local producers in Petersburg, AK;  and Bobbi Daniels of Saw Mill Farm, upcycling local food waste for farm raised meat production. To preorder meat w/ 10% discount - go to: https://www.facebook.com/thesawmillfarmsitka Annual competition sponsored by Sealaska/Haa Aani and The Nature Conservancy, and targets Southeast Alaska residents with ideas for triple bottom line oriented businesses; those that will have a positive economic, social, and environmental impact on their communities. Over the past three years over 105 businesses and startups from across Southeast Alaska have applied and 36 entrepreneurs have received intense 'boot camp' management training - the pre-requisite for the competition.  Each business will receive $40,000 in technical assistance to be used over the next year.   

And last, but not least: Launch : Alaska is accepting applications until February 29th. Apply to receive 25k in seed funding and world class mentoring during an intense 90 days. Alaska’s Energy and Arctic Technology Accelerator: www.launchalaska.com

We would like to hear from you! Have an event you would like highlighted in the weekly Alaska Startup Digest? Do you know of something happening somewhere else? Drop us a line: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=alaska%20startups%20zone  

Alaska Startup Digest is curated by:
Ky Holland

Ky Holland - Assistant Professor - Alaska Pacific University

Contact Ky Holland at ky.holland@startupdigestmail.com

Juliet Shepherd

Juliet Shepherd - Tech Led Development Project Manager, Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation

Contact Juliet Shepherd at juliet.shepherd@startupdigestmail.com

Gianna Foltz

Gianna Foltz - Entrepreneur

Contact Gianna Foltz at gianna.foltz@startupdigestmail.com

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WED 17

FBX - Connect 49 - Young Professionals Meetup (Suggested donation $5)

February 17th 6:00pm

Meet other Fairbanks professionals at the trendy new coffee shop, the Venue. A suggested donation of $5 is appreciated. RSVP to this Facebook event or bring a business card for entry. 
Light refreshments and two drinks will be provided, courtesy of the Young Professionals Council, HooDoo Brewing Company, Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation, and Venue.
Please share with other local professionals, but space is limited to 70 people.

Venue - 514 2nd Ave, Fairbanks RSVP to above link. Space limited. | View in Calendar

SUN 21

Online/FBX - TEDx Fairbanks LiveStream (Free)

February 21st 11:00am

Fairbanks is an intimate space. Not only are we literally in the heart of interior Alaska; we are a cultural, social, political, and economic hub for many smaller communities throughout the state. Fairbanks - and to a larger extent - Alaska - is not an easy place to live, yet we still call this place home. In our first TEDx Fairbanks event we will explore what it means to have an intimate space.

Or Join us at The Hub - 410 2nd Ave. RSVP: thehubfairbanks@gmail.com | View in Calendar

Upcoming Events:


TUE 01

Webinar - Editing Your Own Work (After you've read it 1000 times) (STTR/SBIR) ($139.00)

March 1st 10:00am

Online Event

TUE 01

Online - Get Traction: The Virtual Growth Event ($10)

March 1st 10:00am

Online

WED 16

ANC - How to Write a Business Plan (50.00)

March 16th 1:00pm

1901 Bragaw Street Room #199, Anchorage, AK 99508

THU 24

FBX - Dynamic Diva March Meetup (Free)

March 24th 6:30pm

The Hub - 410 2nd Ave. Fairbanks

SAT 23

Alaska Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week (Varies by event)

July 23rd

Statewide

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