Launch Alaska accepting applications until October 8 for $75k in financing, up to $1M in funding

Anchorage, AK - Launch Alaska, a new Anchorage-based energy accelerator, has extended the application deadline for spots in its 2018 cohort. The group is accepting applications until October 8 for its highly competitive four-month program, which includes mentoring, $75,000 in financing for start-ups who have or are working on a prototype, and opportunities for up to $1M in financing for technologies that are deployment-ready and targeted towards a problem facing the Arctic region, particularly in the areas of energy, food, water, and transportation.

Given Alaskas geographic isolation, remoteness, and cold-weather climate, much of Alaskas research and development activity is dedicated to solving remote and Arctic problems, such as: finding cheaper ways to generate energy and increase energy efficiency, overcoming the challenges of arctic engineering, and resource extraction. Entrepreneurs can help to invent technologies that solve these problems, while moving Alaska away from the perils of relying too much on a single commodity. To align itself with these needs, Launch Alaska supports and grows innovative energy and "arctic tech" companies that can solve the unique problems facing the arctic region and realize a vision of Alaska as a thriving innovation and entrepreneurial hub with a broadened economic base.

"Alaska faces unique challenges, including grid insecurity, high energy costs, and cybersecurity threats that make it a unique test bed for companies offering innovative solutions to these problems," said Isaac Vanderburg, Managing Director of Launch Alaska. "As the region moves to diversify its economy and create new engines of local economic health, were motivated to solve some of the state's most intractable problems. Alaska can and should be a hub for the development of innovative solutions to meet some of the most pressing global challenges."

Launch Alaskas 2018 program offering two application tracks: customer discovery and deployment. The tracks applies to applicants based on their technology readiness level:

Customer discovery track:
-Raising an angel or seed round
-Need to vet their business model with customers
-Seek business development and investment readiness support
-$75,000

Deployment track :
-Raising a series A to C round
-Aim to validate their business model through project based deployment
-Seek to scale in Alaska or the arctic
-Up to $1M in financing available

The application deadline is Friday, October 8, 2017 at 11:59 AKDT. Learn more and apply: http://www.launchalaska.com/apply

About Launch Alaska:
Launch Alaska is powering the founders of our energy future. The non-profit accelerator is bringing together entrepreneurs, members of the military, utility operators, researchers and thought leaders to work toward a shared vision of Alaska as a thriving innovation and entrepreneurial hub. From drones to climate change mitigation, and from electrical grids to cyber security, Alaska holds value and experience that a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem is beginning to capture. Launch Alaska seeks companies that are innovating solutions to make communities and organizations more resilient while tackling some of the world's biggest energy and climate problems. Learn more at www.launchalaska.com. Stay in touch via Twitter, Linkedin, and Facebook.
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