49safpod

Join 49SAF and three exited black entrepreneurs turned entrepreneurial ecosystem builders. They discuss the challenges that Black, Indigenous and People of Color entrepreneurs face. Featuring: Dan Kihanya of Founders Unfound, Erin Horne McKinney of Black Female Founders, and BJ Stewart of Urban Impact.

It's another dual shot of espresso! We sit down with Jani Tuomi, cofounder of Texas-based medical tech company Imaware and Jacqueline Summers, Managing Director of Alaska's Health TIE (Testbed for Innovative Enterprises). We talk COVID, at home medical testing and how one software developer becomes the founder of a health tech company.

We've got a great, informative podcast in two parts--with a royal cameo kicking us off! Hear from Toby Rittner, President and CEO of the Council of Development Finance Agencies ("CDFA"), and Katie Kramer, the company's Vice President. Part I of the Podcast is all about the SBA Loan Options available to small businesses right now in light of COVID-19; Part II is more policy oriented and covers the CARES Act, Development Finance, and best-in-class local finance responses to this crisis. TOP TIP: Alaska's Small Business Development Center's COVID-19 page (https://aksbdc.org/covid19/) is a great resource for details on this as well. PLUS the SBDC is holding daily web briefings on these SBA lending products, answering questions, and getting detailed -- like with this PDF document that explains both the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Payroll Protection Program in detail (presented week of April 6, 2020, pdf): https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/EIDL_and_P3_4.1.2020_FINAL_2pm.pdf

We talk with two founders who live 800+ miles apart: Keith MacIntyre of Big Bear Software in Penticton, Canada and Marc Wheeler of Coppa in Juneau, Alaska. It's a mashup cast with meaning: Keith builds tech products, Marc makes Alaska-infused ice cream, and both find common threads in this discussion about entrepreneurship and what helps them, their companies and communities move forward.

HERE WE GO with one of Alaska's premier entrepreneur and investor events. Deadlines: Entrepreneurs (Feb 11), Investors (Feb 29) PLUS make sure to hit the Juneau Innovation

49SAF's Erin Baca and Advisory Committee Member Kevin Croy talk with the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development's Nolan Klouda and Gretchen Fauske on their super-soon-to-launch startup accelerator: www.upstartalpha.com

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We talk with Andy Rogers of Alaska Business Week (http://alaskabusinessweek.com), a nonprofit that hosts weeklong bootcamps for junior and high school students on entrepreneurship. Andy co-founded the nonprofit, as well as another Anchorage company--which today is known as Pango Technology. We talk about investing, entrepreneurial capacity building, economics, gratitude and more.

We're talking with Pitchfest 2019 participants Meredith Noble of LearnGrantWriting.org, Candy Fitzpatrick of Rest Angles, Mike Irving of Alaska's Best Shellfish, Chidi Iwuoha of Agent Film School and Suzanne Swartz of ApothAKary. And we cover a lot of ground: These individual startups, the easiest and hardest things about Pitchfest, customer development / lead gen, as well as whether Pitchfest should keeping going, and whether Alaska needs some kind of entrepreneur-led support group. It's a deep and fun one, dive in!

We talk with Jennifer about September's Pitchfest 2019 event (she's involved); the changes she's seen recently in both her client base and the Anchorage startup scene; and finally, overcoming challenges from the past.

Jeff Levin is an Anchorage-born technologist who helps sail more than a few ships in our community: He's at both the Alaska Developers Alliance, a nonprofit, and Legalverse, his tech startup. Join us for a chat with Jeff about Anchorage charter schools, the UA Scholars program, creating value in the legal space, and what Alaska needs to successfully compete in tech.

The 49SAF sits down with Jasmin Smith and half of her preschool supertwin duo to talk a little bit about her amazing business BabyVend and her variety of businesses. But we also talk a lot more: About Anchorage, neighborhoods, access to capital, and the city's need to go beyond celebrating diversity to work toward inclusion.

We sit down with Heather Kelly, CEO and Founder of Heather's Choice about her current experience in the Bend Outdoor Worx accelerator, what she's gained from participating in both the Alaska and Oregon startup ecosystems, and both the best and toughest days she's had running her business.

Entrepreneur, soda maker, longtime foodie and endurance athlete. Besides running his early-stage company, Mike is working to eradicate child hunger by cycling 300 miles in 3 days as part of Chefs Cycle. You can check out beachtribealaska.com to learn more about his biz, and this link for the ride: http://join.nokidhungry.org/site/TR/ChefsCycle/General?team_id=172079&pg=team&fr_id=1571

Who's interviewing who, exactly? The conclusion of our talk with Juneau entrepreneur and artist Pat Race. We cover business for good, technology, a little Alaska history--and thoughts on the future.

Who is Pat Race: Artist? Entrepreneur? Technologist? Media guru? Bearded muse of Juneau? Listen in on the first of a two-parter where we talk with Pat on his journey from tech to the creative economy. PLUS: Cofounders, naming your business the right way, finding tribes, working with the right clients.

Meet the new team member at 49SAF, Erin Baca! Erin joins us as our new fund associate. Coming to us with a background that includes consulting, strategy and operations management at both established and startup companies, Erin also is experienced in angel investor and entrepreneurial ecosystem engagement. Erin joins us to discuss Alaska Angel Conference 2019, why she joined the team, her core values and more.

We're back with the final thoughts of the Pitchfest winners! Hear their advice on pitching, as well as a discussion surrounding product-market fit and their top tips for Alaska entrepreneurs. JOIN US for events during Alaska Startup Week: Check out our workshops at twitter.com/49saf

It's the first of a two-part series! Hear from the Accelerate Alaska Pitchfest winners about classic Eship topics: Should you quit your day job--or not? Plus: Building with cofounders (or not); saying yes and saying no; and finally, the pros and cons of being an Alaska startup.    You're hearing from:  Alexa Daniels, CEO of Fossil Fuel (fossilfuelak.com)  Keith McCormick, CEO of Quick Cup (quickcupapp.com)  Orion Matthews, CEO of Thanks.org (thanks.org)

On August's cast we've got Ben Kellie of K2Dronotics, a three-year old Alaska startup. "K2" recently expanded their products to go beyond flying drone missions and managing corporate drone infrastructure to include a new effort they're branding The Launch Company: And it's all about infrastructure creation for private sector space launches. Ben's fun to listen to and (very) excited and positive about Alaska's entrepreneurial future.

The conversation expands to include a variety of audience members on whether Alaska entrepreneurs are better or worse than their counterparts in the Lower 48. Plus, what we need to do to continue moving Alaska's ecosystem forward.