Our State Small Business Credit Initiative programs have continued to lead the nation helping to facilitate almost $100 million in new loans over the last year. BuyAlaska’s Holiday Gift Guide is helping Alaskans check everyone off their gift lists with locally made products and our AI program has helped over 2,000 people nationwide take advantage of generative AI.

New Year's means new beginnings and big changes for people and organizations and the Alaska SBDC is no different. As we move into our 39th year of operations we’re going to use 2025 as a chance to embrace the “new year, new you” philosophy! Stay tuned for announcements about new programs (AI, healthcare innovation, tribal technical assistance, and more!) as well as major changes to existing programs (BuyAlaska, SBDC Core services, workshops, TREND!).

Our big New Year's resolution is to continue to build on the amazing work that we’ve been doing to support Alaska’s small businesses over the last four decades and to serve as a business development leader for not only Alaska but the rest of the nation as well.  

I hope that your holidays are full of fun, family, and holiday cheer. Take some time to get out and enjoy the winter wonderland we call home so that you can come back in 2025 refreshed, rested, and ready to keep growing Alaska’s economy in the New Year. 

From all of us here at the Alaska SBDC family to you and yours: Happy Holidays and a fantastic New Year!

The kick-off to the holiday season has been amazing, and we want to take a moment to thank EVERYONE who supports Alaska's small businesses, no matter how big or small the gesture. Whether you made a purchase, shared a post, or simply spread the word, your support is invaluable.

A special thank you to the local governments and organizations that made Small Business Saturday a success by organizing events, issuing proclamations, and rallying communities to support our small business owners. Your efforts make a difference, and we are so grateful for your dedication to helping our local entrepreneurs thrive! Here’s a peek at all the fun, and a reminder to #ShopSmall where you can now, through the holidays, and to look for local year-round! 

Ruth Wolfe

Rural Center Director

We’re thrilled to announce Ruth Wolfe's promotion from Rural Business Advisor to our new Rural Center Director! An Alaska Native Yup’ik with roots in Nightmute and Perryville, Ruth has brought a deep passion for rural development, alongside extensive expertise in commercial real estate, financial analysis, and marketing strategies.

Dante Medema

Communications Specialist

Dante Medema is a Communications Specialist who has worked with the Alaska SBDC since February 2024 and has officially joined the SBDC team. An award-winning author and playwright, Dante has a background in storytelling and artist-branding, focusing on Young Adult fiction and theatre arts, and has presented at conferences all over the US.

Genta Lena

SSBCI Tribal Operations Specialist

Genta Lena manages the administration of tribal lending programs where she oversees database operations, ensuring compliance with loan documentation standards, and optimizing program processes to enhance access to financial resources for Alaska Tribal communities, utilizing a strategic, results-oriented approach.

Exciting career opportunities with Alaska SBDC! We’re hiring for three impactful roles:

• an AI Implementation & Support Specialist to empower small businesses through AI technology,
• a Tribal SSBCI Lending Program Director to expand capital access for Alaskan entrepreneurs and
• a Tribal SSBCI Venture Capital Program Assistant Director to drive investment in Alaska’s tribal communities

If you’re passionate about supporting local businesses and driving economic growth, apply today—or share with someone who’d be a great fit!

We are thrilled to announce that Leadership Anchorage Cohort 28 has selected the Alaska SBDC's project as one of six Community Impact Projects, chosen from 15 outstanding proposals.

Launched in November, our Creating a Funding Database project is designed to empower small businesses across Alaska, and we’re excited to see its impact grow statewide!

Mat-Su Center Director Misty O'Connor delivered an engaging and insightful session in Juneau this month, captivating attendees with her expertise and practical advice. She delved into the nuances of mastering the art of selling, offering actionable tips on how small business owners can identify their unique value propositions, connect authentically with customers, and close deals with confidence.

She also provided a comprehensive framework for building and maintaining a robust sales pipeline!

Federal SBA Regional Administrator Beto Yarce, State SBA Director Steve Brown, and Economic Development Specialist Norma Lucero visited the Alaska SBDC Mat-Su Office!

The day featured breakfast from The House of Bread, meetings with Mat-Su Center Director Misty O'Connor and Yukon Tails LLC’s owner, a tour of Mountain Dog’s manufacturing facility, and visits to Peak Outpost, Bleeding Heart Brewery, and Wild Haven Co, showcasing Mat-Su’s entrepreneurial spirit!

This week, the Mat-Su SBDC hosted an engaging workshop on fraud prevention, featuring Steve Gruber of Arctic Penguin Technologies and Tyler Vose of L4V Training & Consulting. Attendees explored critical threats like phishing, ransomware, and the Alaska USA banking scam, gaining practical tips to protect their businesses. The workshop also covered internal risks such as payroll fraud, equipping entrepreneurs with strategies to spot and address vulnerabilities. Thanks to MTA Solutions' sponsorship of this important workshop. Stay tuned for a potential statewide recording!

Mark your calendars for February 28, 2025, as we return with the highly anticipated Alaska SBDC Summit. This year, we're diving deep into the revolutionary impacts of AI, healthcare innovation, and business advancements. We’re excited to announce that we're currently seeking passionate guest speakers and supporters to join us in shaping the future of Alaska's economy.

Are you ready to connect with Alaska’s most inspiring entrepreneurs and thought leaders? This is your opportunity to share insights, make valuable connections, and support Alaska’s economic growth.

Interested in becoming a speaker or sponsor? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at summit@aksbdc.org for more information.

Unlock the potential of AI to elevate your business with the Empowering Small Businesses with AI Workshop Series! Produced by the AI Resource Program at Alaska SBDC, this series offers small business owners practical tools and actionable strategies for integrating AI into everyday operations.

From getting started with AI to using data analysis and creating custom ChatGPT-powered assistants, each workshop is designed to help you streamline your processes, make smarter decisions, and drive success at every stage of your business journey. Don’t miss out—transform your business with AI!

Entrepreneurs are resilient and gritty. No matter the hour, we're right there with you.

Visit our website for our suite of statewide SBDC workshops. Remember to ask your Alaska SBDC advisor about accessing client discounts on fee-based workshops!

All Alaska SBDC workshops are free for active duty military, spouses, and veterans. Contact us to set that up for you!

The Alaska State SSBCI program provided a transformative $77.1 million in funding through 101 loans, benefiting 86 businesses across 26 communities. With 90 of these businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI) and 59 categorized as very small businesses (VSB), the program underscored its commitment to fostering equitable economic growth, expanding access to capital, and strengthening local economies across Alaska.

The Tribal SSBCI Consortium, launched in the fall of 2024 with participation from 125 Alaska Native tribes, began funding its first projects in October. In its initial months, the program provided $17.4 million in funding through 13 loans, supporting 12 SEDI-owned businesses, including 8 VSBs, in 9 communities. This initiative reflects a critical step toward advancing economic sovereignty for Alaska Native, tribal, and rural communities, ensuring targeted support for entrepreneurs in underserved areas.

Together, these programs are creating meaningful opportunities for growth and resilience statewide and we are excited to build on this momentum in 2025!

Anchorage small-business owners on where — and why — to shop local this holiday season

Anchorage Small Business Saturday ‘embodies that spirit of community’

OPINION: The power of small business: Shop local this holiday season

Alaskans encouraged to shop local this holiday season 

Tips for Holiday Shoppers to Support Local Merchants on Small Business Saturday

Join us for the final SBIR webinar of the year on December 17th at 1:00 PM AKT! Learn how to secure funding for your Alaskan innovation through the SBIR/STTR program, America's Seed Fund.

Dec 21: Head to the Naughty & Ice Handcrafted Market in Fairbanks for unique, high-quality items from local vendors—all in support of Helping Hands of Two Rivers, with proceeds funding educational activities for local kids.

The Winter Solstice Festival in Fairbanks is coming 12/19-12/21! Get ready for their Moose on the Loose Local Business Scavenger Hunt and score a chance at winning a prize from one of the participating local businesses!

JEDC is hosting the Alaska Innovation Summit on February 26 & 27 in Juneau, be sure to get your tickets!

Nominations are OPEN for the 2025 Alaska Innovators Hall of Fame! Do you know an innovator or innovation from Alaska making waves locally or globally? Help celebrate outstanding contributions to quality of life, economic growth, the environment, and more!

The High North Young Entrepreneur contest is an international competition encouraging young entrepreneurs to pitch Arctic-related business ideas, promoting the region's potential and fostering sustainable development. A prize of NOK 50,000 will be awarded to the winner during the High North Dialogue conference on March 26-27, 2025, in Bodø. Three finalists will be invited to pitch their ideas in Bodø. The application deadline is February 5, 2025.