Deploy, Deploy, Deploy! In Alaska, Startups are Leading Solutions to Climate Change

For the better part of the last year, I’ve been tasked with organizing the Tech Deployment Track, Launch Alaska’s startup accelerator program. The multi-month program invites the brightest climate tech startups from both in and outside Alaska to explore if they have what it takes to do business in our communities; if their tech solutions can help solve the climate challenges we face. What distinguishes our accelerator from so many others is our focus on deployment – on making projects happen. Our program is ideal for later stage startups – those with proven tech that has already been tested or deployed – to bring ideas that spur innovation, support economic growth, and ultimately improve our communities and world by reducing emissions and fighting climate change.

A member of the 2022 Tech Deployment Track cohort presents to panelists during the Session 1 kickoff event in Anchorage on Sept. 27, 2022.

In September, after two years of holding the Tech Deployment Track virtually due to the pandemic, we were excited to host the kickoff event for this year’s accelerator cohort in person in Anchorage. And from my perspective, it exceeded expectations.

To start, we had the most competitive cohort the Tech Deployment Track program has ever seen. Forty-five startups applied from around the world. Of those, we ended up accepting an impressive cohort of 13 companies. These companies have incredible technologies that we think hold great promise in Alaska. They span our three areas of focus – energy, transportation and industry – and bring solutions that range from innovative kelp processing and geothermal energy systems to green hydrogen-fueled aircraft drive trains. 

As the world returns to travel and in-person convening, we know it makes a difference for this program. It's important for companies in the Tech Deployment Track to get to know the people, place, and environment where they hope to deploy. If not already based here, they need to travel to Alaska to see it firsthand, shake hands, meet our people, and see our communities. 

Tech Deployment Track Lead Suzanna Caldwell speaks members of the 2022 cohort during a workshop in Anchorage on Sept. 26, 2022. Photo by Tim Leach.

We started out by hosting an afternoon of workshops for 20 participants from the 13 cohort companies on the basics and specifics of doing business here, teaching them about everything from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to the difference between rural and Railbelt utilities, to the temperature and climate variability across the state. The next day companies jumped right into Session 1 – the official kick-off of the Tech Deployment Track where executives pitch their companies and their tech solutions to the over 50 panelists we had assembled. Panelists are Alaska subject matter experts who help vet the startups in our program. The panelists seem to see promise in these companies as well, helping brainstorm over 200 potential Alaska customer leads for the 13 companies. Of the panelists who attended, over half signed up to mentor a company after that day – continuing to support them as they explore deployment in Alaska. That’s proof that these companies have ideas that resonate with Alaskans.

Conversations continue, and companies, panelists, and the Launch Alaska team are working hard over the coming weeks and months to determine what opportunities exist for these startups in Alaska, supporting them as they seek to be strong, trustworthy, and verified partners in our communities. As the name suggests, the whole point of the Tech Deployment Track is deploying projects. Companies that show traction toward deployment by the end of the program next spring are invited into Launch Alaska’s portfolio, where our team continues working with them long term. 

After years of working in sustainability, it’s been inspiring to me to see companies wanting to create innovative solutions they hope can serve Alaskans. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Interested in participating in our Tech Deployment Track cohort? Click here to be notified when the application period opens.