Alaska Startups

08/19/2026

Three ways to host an event at AKEW:

Featured: Curated, high-quality sessions
Partner: From established organizations
Community: Grassroots, open to all

Pick your tier and apply. We made it super easy.

akew.org/host-event

07/14/2026

[Peter]

NSF awards 12 new Regional Innovation Engines to fuel research, jobs and economic growth nationwide

The U.S. National Science Foundation announced it awarded the newest NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) awards to 12 U.S. teams across 20 states. These NSF Engines will build and scale innovation clusters that aim to accelerate the development of critical technologies, prepare talent for emerging jobs and grow regional economies. Building on decades of NSF investments in foundational research, the NSF Engines partner with the private sector to advance technology deployment and secure America's position at the forefront of science and technology.

NSF Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine in Alaska, led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The NSF Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine in Alaska, led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, aims to unlock Alaska's expansive critical mineral resources by integrating advanced mining technologies, AI-enabled exploration systems and novel biomining approaches.

The NSF Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine will connect communities, researchers, and workforce development and industry stakeholders to expand workforce training and career pathways that support high-quality jobs, particularly in remote Alaska communities. By strengthening local workforce capacity and enabling new business and supply chain opportunities, the Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine will contribute to long-term economic growth, regional stability and domestic industrial capacity.

Technology focus areas address industry needs in advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, AI, biotechnology and energy technology.

You can find more about the NSF Critical Minerals teams @

06/03/2026

[Peter] Hi all. I wanted to highlight a new journal where I am an editorial board member. Journal of Ocean Business and Innovation (JOBI) is a double-blind, peer-reviewed, open-access journal committed to advancing theory and practice at the intersection of ocean sustainability, business strategy, technological innovation, and coastal community resilience. It serves academic, industry, nonprofit, and policy audiences by publishing high-quality, multidisciplinary research and applied insights that support a regenerative and inclusive blue economy. Contact me for more information. You can find more at

The Journal of Ocean Business and Innovation (JOBI) is a double-blind, peer-reviewed, open-access journal committed to advancing theory and practice at the intersection of ocean sustainability, business strategy, technological innovation, and coastal community resilience.

02/18/2026

[Peter @ UAF] Anyone interested to connect on a NASA NOFO around Aerospace Workforce Development, please reach out. NOFO @

01/15/2026

We’re baaaack! 🥳 Applications are now open for the 8th gBETA Alaska accelerator cohort. If you’re building something scalable and innovative in , we want to work with you.

gBETA Alaska is a free, 7-week, mentorship-driven, accelerator designed to help reach their next product, customer or fundraising milestone. Each cohort supports five companies, allowing for deep, personalized experience.

The program supports Alaska-based founders and is brought to you by the UAF Center for Innovation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (thank you Peter Webley and Ashley Guernsey for your support!), in partnership with ⚡gener8tor⚡, a nationally recognized and accelerator firm.

💡 You Should Apply If You’re…
- Building a scalable, innovative company (tech, hard goods, services, or research-driven)
- Pre-revenue or post-revenue
- Based in Alaska
- Building a prototype or MVP
- Working on a serious side project
- Doing research that has commercialization potential
- Already operating a startup and want to scale
- An aspiring ready to commit
Wanting hands-on support and honest feedback

✅ Ready for the next step?
👉 Apply ---> https://www.gener8tor.one/gbeta/gBETA%20Alaska%20Winter%202026/apply/
👉 Learn more --> https://www.gener8tor.com/gbeta/alaska -section-620bfc72d201f616ed691780
👉 Or schedule a brief virtual office visit if you have questions ---> https://calendly.com/kristen-gibbs/20-minute-gbeta-alaska

We can’t wait to meet you. ✌️

12/02/2025

[Peter] Spring class that I am faculty instructor. DM with any questions.

Reminder

Opportunity for Spring 2026: Innovation for Alaska and the Arctic class - Enrolling Now.

Teams will work on impactful problem sets and connect directly with the sponsor and learn more on their needs and the dual-use opportunities for potential solutions.

BA/HSEM F476 and MBA/HSEM 676 in UAF College of Business and Security Management - Instructor Professor Peter Webley. For more information: email [email protected] with the subject "Innovation for Alaska and the Arctic class - Spring 2026"

11/13/2025

[Peter] Reminder: Applications Close tomorrow, Nov 14.

Reminder: Applications Close tomorrow, Nov 14.

NSF Funded I-Corps Innovation Training Program

Are you a researcher, innovator, or aspiring entrepreneur sitting on a brilliant idea that could change the world? Instead of thinking of what your market needs, you can be out there, engaging with potential customers, unearthing critical insights, and understanding the demand for your innovation.

The National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps program gives you the skills to learn how to validate your assumptions, pivot when necessary, and build a robust pathway from discovery to viable solution. It's an intensive, hands-on program designed to rocket your groundbreaking concepts from the lab into the real world.

This program is available to University of Alaska faculty, staff, and students as well as the broader community in Alaska. The I-Corps program is delivered a few times each year and lasts approximately four weeks.

Teams obtain customer feedback that will help launch your product/business or develop an evidence-based commercialization strategy. Our I-Corps program, as part of a wider Hub project, https://www.nwicorps.org/. Key institutions include UC Berkeley (lead), Oregon State University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Francisco, UC Santa Cruz, and the University of Washington.

For those looking to validate an idea or iterate to build something people want, customer discovery is a must. This is your feedback loop, if you want your startup to grow and scale.

I-Corps Customer Discovery Program: Winter Cohort

Application Close: Nov 14, 2025

Application Form: https://bit.ly/I-Corps-Hub-Northwest-Form

Training starts: Nov 25, 2025

Workshops: Nov 25, Dec 1, 8, and 15 [5 - 7 pm Alaska time, Virtually on Zoom]

Any questions please contact Prof. Peter Webley at [email protected]

11/10/2025

[Peter] Check on this innovation training program. Applications close Friday Nov 14. Its free for those who apply.

NSF Funded I-Corps Innovation Training Program

Are you a researcher, innovator, or aspiring entrepreneur sitting on a brilliant idea that could change the world? Instead of thinking of what your market needs, you can be out there, engaging with potential customers, unearthing critical insights, and understanding the demand for your innovation.

The National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps program gives you the skills to learn how to validate your assumptions, pivot when necessary, and build a robust pathway from discovery to viable solution. It's an intensive, hands-on program designed to rocket your groundbreaking concepts from the lab into the real world.

This program is available to University of Alaska faculty, staff, and students as well as the broader community in Alaska. The I-Corps program is delivered a few times each year and lasts approximately four weeks.

Teams obtain customer feedback that will help launch your product/business or develop an evidence-based commercialization strategy. Our I-Corps program, as part of a wider Hub project, https://www.nwicorps.org/. Key institutions include UC Berkeley (lead), Oregon State University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Francisco, UC Santa Cruz, and the University of Washington.

For those looking to validate an idea or iterate to build something people want, customer discovery is a must. This is your feedback loop, if you want your startup to grow and scale.

I-Corps Customer Discovery Program: Winter Cohort

Application Close: Nov 14, 2025

Application Form: https://bit.ly/I-Corps-Hub-Northwest-Form

Training starts: Nov 25, 2025

Workshops: Nov 25, Dec 1, 8, and 15 [5 - 7 pm Alaska time, Virtually on Zoom]

Any questions please contact Prof. Peter Webley at [email protected]

10/31/2025

[Peter] For those entrepreneurs out there looking for some training in customer and stakeholder discovery.

NSF Funded I-Corps Innovation Training Program

Are you a researcher, innovator, or aspiring entrepreneur sitting on a brilliant idea that could change the world? Instead of thinking of what your market needs, you can be out there, engaging with potential customers, unearthing critical insights, and understanding the demand for your innovation.

The National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps program gives you the skills to learn how to validate your assumptions, pivot when necessary, and build a robust pathway from discovery to viable solution. It's an intensive, hands-on program designed to rocket your groundbreaking concepts from the lab into the real world.

This program is available to University of Alaska faculty, staff, and students as well as the broader community in Alaska. The I-Corps program is delivered a few times each year and lasts approximately four weeks.

Teams obtain customer feedback that will help launch your product/business or develop an evidence-based commercialization strategy. Our I-Corps program, as part of a wider Hub project, https://www.nwicorps.org/. Key institutions include UC Berkeley (lead), Oregon State University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Francisco, UC Santa Cruz, and the University of Washington.

For those looking to validate an idea or iterate to build something people want, customer discovery is a must. This is your feedback loop, if you want your startup to grow and scale.

I-Corps Customer Discovery Program: Winter Cohort

Application Close: Nov 14, 2025

Application Form: https://bit.ly/I-Corps-Hub-Northwest-Form

Training starts: Nov 25, 2025

Workshops: Nov 25, Dec 1, 8, and 15 [5 - 7 pm Alaska time, Virtually on Zoom]

Any questions please contact Prof. Peter Webley at [email protected]

08/26/2025

[Peter] Open for students. Starts this week, Wednesday at 5:30 pm Alaska time.

Innovation for Alaska and the Arctic

Want to have an impact? Want to solve DoD challenges? Want to work on an interdisciplinary team? Student teams engage directly with complex, real-world problems from policy, economics, technology, national security, and innovation.

Projects this semester include dual-use electric vessels from Regent Craft, https://www.regentcraft.com/, or solving challenges directly for Eielson AirForce Base.

Students are provided with a framework to test hypotheses using a startup model approach and to create the demands of the real world in an early-stage startup environment. Students will build their skills to ideate and adapt their potential solutions while investigating the end-users needs for implementation and adoption.

To get connected with Professor Webley and Fall semester projects, sign up to https://bit.ly/IA2-Fall-2025-Interest.

For more information: email [email protected] with subject "Fall 2025 - Innovation for Alaska and the Arctic Class"