Upstart Alpha Startup Accelerator applications close Friday, Oct. 2

Upstart Alpha is an important part of our university-based entrepreneurship programming that provides funding, tools and connections for innovators interested in turning their idea into a startup.

From October 2020 through March 2021, entrepreneurs accepted into the program will learn the mindset of an entrepreneur, how to test their idea, obsess their customers, meet investors and more. And participants earn a cash stipend of $1,500–$2,000 during the program (depending on cohort size) to work on their business!

Here's what a few of last year's participants said about the program:

• “I liked how everyone has shared their own journey along the way. The wisdom passed on has been invaluable.”
• “I really enjoyed the level of diversity in the program. I thought I'd be surrounded by business majors, but people from all colleges were represented.”
• “I love how we are able to meet so many fascinating people that are rooting for us to succeed.”

This year Upstart Alpha will be entirely virtual; we are seeking a diverse set of idea-stage entrepreneurs from across the state, both students and non-students, to apply. This competitive second cohort has room for only 12 individuals and will kick off on Oct. 16. In person sessions will be for 2-3 hours on Fridays.

If you know of any entrepreneurs that are interested in applying, direct them to the Upstart Alpha website. The application is online.

Applications for this year’s Upstart Alpha program are being accepted until Friday, Oct. 2, at 11:59 p.m. Please encourage all the early-stage entrepreneurs in your life to apply! 

For questions, please contact Gretchen Fauske, associate director, UA Center for Economic Development, at gwfauske@alaska.edu.

Apply for Upstart Alpha

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