Up-and-coming entrepreneurs in Alaska would be wise to check out the Alaska Economic Development Corporation’s (AEDC) “Where to Startup” video series. The series touches on a range of topics, including building a website, conducting market research, legally structuring your business, making a successful pitch and much more.
The free, 20-video series was produced over a two-year period. The 10 most recent videos were filmed this summer at CIRI’s Fireweed Business Center. CIRI Chief Financial Officer Stig Colberg is featured in two of the videos, “Business Goals and Feasibility Studies” and “Learning from Failure.”
To view the videos visit http://aedcweb.com/where-to-startup/.
Other Business Resources
Many other resources are available to individuals interested in starting a business. For example, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a business loan program, workshops and free counseling on how to start a small business, and you may qualify for federal programs that steer a portion of government contracts to businesses owned by minorities, such as the SBA 8(a) program.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) also administers a small business loan program and provides workshops and counseling on how to start a small business. Additionally, many colleges and universities provide reference libraries, workshops and technical assistance on starting a small business, developing business plans and preparing commercial loan proposals. Listed below are a few useful links:
University of Alaska Anchorage Business Enterprise Unit
www.uaa.alaska.edu/business-enterprise-institute/
Alaska Growth Capital
www.alaskagrowth.com
The Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov
Bureau of Indian Affairs
www.bia.gov
