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America’s SBDCs help make the dream of small business ownership a reality for more Americans — creating jobs and opportunities that build communities throughout the nation.
See how the Alaska SBDC has served its communities.
SBDC CLIENTS ARE MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE IN RURAL ALASKA
Small businesses have a big impact in rural communities and the Alaska SBDC is proud to support them. In 2020 Alaska SBDC advisors assisted 241 rural clients to start 21 new businesses and raise almost $9 million in new capital.
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Rural Alaskan communities with fewer than 5,000 people served in 2020
Alaska SBDC's Lemonade Day Helps Teens Become Entrepreneurs
Aaliyah & Amiyah got their entrepreneurial start through the Alaska SBDC's Lemonade Day program for young entrepreneurs. Their stand, Double A's Lemonade, won the Lemonade Day Alaska 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year award for creative branding, investor partnerships, and creative products. Today, they are running their business with their mother's support and even pivoting their seasonal lemonade offerings to include hot cocoa "bombs" in the winter time -- impressing customers of all ages.
Alaska Business Wins Phase 1 SBIR with SBDC's Help
GRAYSTAR Pacific Seafood received a $100,000 Phase 1 SBIR grant from the USDA. The company was one of only seven applicants approved this year. GRAYSTAR hopes to produce and sell Deep Ocean Water (DOW) as a nutraceutical beverage, in one or more coastal Alaska communities. DOW is seawater obtained at ocean depths of 250-1,500 meters. It has a low temperature, high purity, and high concentrations of beneficial mineral nutrients.
Alaska SBDC was the top COVID-19 Business Resource in the State
Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Alaska SBDC created a COVID-19 resources page which served as a central clearinghouse for business resources and information. Our 120 daily briefings, which reached over 4,000 Alaskans, were particularly effective in getting businesses the information they needed. During the pandemic, Alaska SBDC advisors helped over 1,100 clients raise $41 million in new capital and provided thousands of hours of advising and workshop training.
Alaska Veteran Wants to Grow Alaska's Agriculture Industry
With a passion for agriculture and nearly a decade of farming and logistics under her belt, military veteran Erica Moeller's goal is to grow The Roaming Root Market into an aggregation and distribution company that would allow local farmers to sell their produce and products throughout the year. In turn, businesses, restaurants, organizations, and local-foodies alike would enjoy their favorite fresh produce during the cold winter months.
Kicksled Helped Kick-Start Winter Fun
Inspired by the desire to get outdoors during the winter with their baby and needing something more practical than a stroller, Valerie and Brennan Walsh turned to kicksleds. Essentially a cross between a dog sled and skis, kicksleds are perfect for snowy Alaskan winters. They decided to email a Finland manufacturer and Kicksled Alaska was started. In less than three months they had sold their 100th sled! With a successful launch, Kicksled Alaska is preparing for the current winter season.
