UAA Business Enterprise Institute

2026 Alaska AI Pitch Competition Applications Open Until Feb 18 | Alaska Small Business Development Center Pitch your healthcare AI innovation to AWS leaders for a chance to win up to $25K in AWS professional services at the Alaska SBDC AI Pitch Competition 2026. Apply now to scale your impact statewide.

If you or your community were impacted by recent disasters in Alaska, there may be new support available.

Following updates to the federal disaster declaration, residents, businesses, and nonprofits in Kashunamiut REAA, Yupiit REAA, and the City of Saint Mary’s may now be eligible to apply for SBA disaster loans.

These low-interest loans can help cover things like physical damage repairs or working capital needs so businesses and households can recover and rebuild.

➡ Apply online: sba.gov/disaster
📞 SBA Customer Service Center: (800) 659-2955
✉ [email protected]

Please share with anyone who may need this information.

This is a great opportunity! Learn more and apply at https://aksbdc.org/2026/01/2026-ai-pitch-competition/

Last year, Alaska entrepreneurs showed what’s possible.

Following the success of our 2025 virtual pitch competition, the Alaska SBDC is bringing the model back with a healthcare AI focus and deeper technical support.

This competition is open statewide, with a virtual pitch designed so teams can participate from anywhere in Alaska. Finalists will compete for AWS partner funding for professional services, delivered by PREDICTif Solutions.

✔️ Apply by Feb 18
✔️ Pitch virtually on Feb 26
✔️ Advance to the SBDC Summit stage on March 6

Learn more and apply to pitch at https://aksbdc.org/2026/01/2026-ai-pitch-competition/ and https://tinyurl.com/2026VirtualAIPitch

You won't want to miss amazing opportunity!

📢 Big news for Alaska’s healthcare innovators!

The Alaska SBDC is launching a statewide Healthcare AI Pitch Competition, open to small businesses across Alaska. It’s fully virtual, built for real-world innovation, and focused on improving healthcare access, efficiency, and outcomes.

Selected up to 10 finalists will pitch virtually on Thursday, February 26. Them the top 3 advance to pitch in person at the Alaska SBDC Summit on March 6 in Anchorage!

Finalists will compete for AWS partner funding for professional services, delivered by PREDICTif Solutions. This is not a cash prize - all awards are in-kind support to help implement and scale healthcare AI solutions.

If you’re building healthcare AI for Alaska, this is your stage! Apply by Feb 18 at https://tinyurl.com/2026VirtualAIPitch

▪️ "I met someone at the Summit who completely changed how I think about my supply chain."

▪️ "That one session on AI saved me probably 10 hours a week."

▪️ "Finally, a business event that felt relevant to Alaska."

We hear feedback like this every time we bring people together; the hallway conversations, the connections that turn into partnerships, the ideas that actually stick. That’s what March 6 at the Wildbirch Hotel is all about.

Not every insight has to be a game-changer. Sometimes it’s just powerful to be in a room with people who understand exactly what you’re dealing with. And we want you to join us.

⭐ Learn more and grab your SBDC Summit seat at sbdcsummit.com - ticket prices increase Jan 30!

The UAA Business Enterprise Institute is excited to share a new opportunity for Alaska healthcare innovators.

The Alaska Small Business Development Center in partnership with the UA Center for Economic Development, is launching the Alaska Healthcare Innovation Accelerator; a free, statewide, all-virtual program supporting Alaskans who are developing solutions to improve healthcare access, delivery, and outcomes across the state!

The accelerator is open to idea-stage founders, early ventures, and established organizations exploring new healthcare products or services, with a strong focus on solutions designed for rural and remote communities.

Applications are open now and close February 20.
Learn more and apply:

Applications Open for the Alaska Healthcare Innovation Accelerator | Alaska Small Business Development Center The Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC), in partnership with the UA Center for Economic Development at the University of Alaska Anchorage, is launching the Alaska Healthcare Innovation Accelerator (AHIA), a free, cohort-based program designed to help Alaskans develop healthcare solutions...

If you want a New Year’s resolution that’s actually fun, BuyAlaska Bingo is it. Every square is an easy way to explore local spots, support small businesses, and feel like a full-fledged community champion.

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SWOOP Named Winner of the 2025 Alaska Angel Conference, Securing $100,000 Local Investment SWOOP Named Winner of the 2025 Alaska Angel Conference, Securing $100,000 Local Investment. The University of Alaska Center for Economic Development (UAA CED) proudly announced SWOOP as the winner of the 2025 Alaska Angel Conference, awarding the company $100,000 in local investment at the event hel...

Alaska Small Business Development Center at the UAA: University of Alaska Anchorage is hiring for its next State Director! Learn more about this role and its impact at https://careers.alaska.edu/jobs/sbdc-state-director-anchorage-alaska-united-states

** Applications will be accepted for review on January 12, 2026. To ensure consideration, please apply before 11:55 PM Alaska Standard Time on January 11, 2026. **

We're Hiring for our Next State Director!

The Alaska Small Business Development Center at the UAA: University of Alaska Anchorage is searching for an exceptional executive to lead Alaska’s premier small business support network into its next chapter. This isn’t just a role, it’s a chance to help shape the future of entrepreneurship across Alaska, from our largest cities to our most remote communities.

As State Director, you'll oversee statewide operations, manage major federal initiatives including SSBCI funding, and serve as the chief advocate for Alaska's small business community.

What We're Looking For
- Proven executive leadership in small business development
- Experience with federal grant management and compliance
- Deep connections to Alaska's business and economic development landscape
- Strategic vision combined with operational excellence

Key Details
- Location: Anchorage, Alaska
- Priority Deadline: January 11, 2026 (11:55 PM AKST)
- Full details and online application: https://careers.alaska.edu/jobs/sbdc-state-director-anchorage-alaska-united-states

If you're ready to make a statewide impact and champion Alaska's entrepreneurs, we want to hear from you!