Launch Alaska

Editor's Notes

• #2: In addition to the place based nature being huge… the independent partnership between Launch and CED is critical to both organizations Being partnered with a 51C3 allows for nimble movement around pressing issues Universities offer the access to larger relationships, stakeholders, and research that the accelerator need as part of a larger pipeline to be successful
• #3: Source of photo: https://www.google.com/search?q=red+green+river+regatta+fairbanks&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS751US752&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-pK6cnMvWAhUK4mMKHckWA8cQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=974#imgrc=E2R3ykljLK0AYM:
• #4: Source of photo: https://www.google.com/search?biw=1920&bih=974&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=red+green+river+regatta+fairbanks&oq=red+green+river&gs_l=psy-ab.1.2.0i24k1l3.118571.122881.0.125367.19.19.0.0.0.0.124.1604.15j3.19.0.dummy_maps_web_fallback...guatda.com/cmx.p0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.15.1326.0..0j0i67k1j0i8i30k1.65._L4OM1npxmA#imgrc=SUHVJQtvCCOeKM:
• #5: Leadership, collaboration, and strategic partnerships Katherine, Joe, Nolan… all got together to apply for the SBA accelerator award/challenge, and they got the initial $50,000 award The first year was totally made up of volunteers: Joe, Nolan, Adam, Katherine, and SBDC “donated” the time of Lance to run it full-time The cohort was originally 5 companies, and by Demo Day it was down to 4 companies. Since Demo Day, 3 of the 4 companies have gotten follow on funding.
• #6: The place based nature of Launch Alaska is so huge: What is problematic right now is that startups don’t think about coming up here and staying here. Alaska can and will be a testing ground… and a place for people/companies to truth out their ideas This is a great space, and there are great opportunities There is not a ton of competition, particularly in certain fields where there needs to be a lot of innovation (energy, water, sewer) Lots of great access to the movers and shakers An example of this is 60 Hertz, they are solving real challenges, and potentially opening up a new type of financing/opportunity
• #7: Since the conception, Launch has done the following: Got awarded a 3-year O&R grant The board decided to pivot and chose an industry vertical (looked at energy, transportation, and other huge industries, etc.) After choosing the energy focus, started to focus on how to properly recruit for that Isaac was talking a lot with Gwen and Marc as ACEP about how Alaska has a huge role in Microgrids, and should be growing that role ACEP helped facilitate the transition to an energy focus Launch Alaska is now modeled after the Hawaii elemental accelerator
• #9: The teams in the current cohort include: 60 Hertz Energy: Founders: Piper Foster Wilder and Whitney Gantt Attently: Founder: Eric Solie and Erik Talvi Helix: Founders: Tom Humphrey and Andrea Irving Threat Informant: Founders: Matthew Peters and Courtney Targos
• #10: Launch is focusing on connecting incumbents (large stakeholders, people who have been in the market for a bit) with startup companies and that is where the magic happens… Having real problems solved Startups are beginning with issues/ideas that already have traction (you do not have to convince anyone that it is an issue), and might have already been “proofed” to some extent Sources for electricity costs: Lime Village: UACED Financial Benchmarking for Rural Alaska Utilities report Fairbanks: http://www.gvea.com/rates/rates Long Beach: https://tinyurl.com/y88uucsr