About Us
Overview
The purpose of Alaska InvestNet is to create wealth and jobs in the 49th State by linking our most talented entrepreneurs to local financial support for their growing enterprises, creating a natural synergy of human, intellectual and financial capital. Alaskan private equity investments keep entrepreneurial talent and business in State, and entrepreneurs build fresh economic infrastructure with new sales, jobs and enduring wealth.
Alaska InvestNet fulfills its purpose by providing education, facilitating business relationships, catalyzing the formation of venture capital in the State, and therefore fueling Alaskan economic development. The businesses mentored by InvestNet cumulatively generate $5 million in sales, employ over 100 Alaskans, and are increasing in value over time.
History
In the mid-1990s, the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) began mobilizing forces to create a venture capital network in Alaska, a logical extension of ASTF’s mission to build an entrepreneurial economy through the development and application of science and technology. ASTF’s conceptualization of the Alaskan network’s mission and structure was largely mentored by Dr. George Kozmetsky, an ASTF Board member and founder of the nations’ largest venture capital organization -- The capital Network (TCN) in Austin, Texas.
Alaska InvestNet was established in September, 1998 by an ASTF grant as one of five programs administered by Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC), a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation and since then, Alaska InvestNet has evolved into a recognized brand statewide. By late 1999, it became apparent that education would play a vital role in allowing the organization to achieve its larger goal of improving the sophistication of Alaska’s immature venture capital market.
Efforts were refocused in 2000 toward developing a knowledgeable venture capital market through an educational program targeted to meet the needs of Alaskan investors and entrepreneurs. The program focuses on educating entrepreneurs and investors on private equity financing issues and to make their businesses attractive to potential investors.
Alaska InvestNet was incorporated in December, 2001, and achieved its own independent status as a tax-exempt, non-profit 501c (3) corporation in 2002.
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