Program Overview

Upstart Alpha is a cohort-based startup accelerator that works with the earliest-stage entrepreneurs in Alaska. Through a two-phase program, cohorts of entrepreneurs will benefit by quickly building upon their idea using a variety of tested startup tools; gain access to a valuable network of peers, mentors, and experts.

The goal is to prepare entrepreneurs for their next steps, whether that may be finding a cofounder and building a team, bootstrapping and launching, seeking outside funding, applying to another accelerator program, or exploring a new idea! A typical week during the program may look like:

• Work on your business or business idea throughout the week.

• Get one-on-one support during weekly mentor and advisor meetings.

• During Phase 1 Customer Discovery Intensive, attend two VIRTUAL sessions on October 3rd & 4th (11 am-1 pm);

  • Learn about the customer discovery process

  • Explore the Lean Canvas (a business plan lite)

  • Get feedback, prepare interview questions, and mock interview your peers.

• During Phase 2, attend two-hour HYBRID sessions every Friday, 11 am-1 pm, from October 11th through December 20th;

  • Sessions are hybrid; folks in Anchorage will join us in person, and folks outside of Anchorage will participate virtually.

  • Weekly accountability/progress check-ins with the cohort

  • Work through your business model and discuss relevant topics with expert speakers

  • Focus on specific priorities to advance your business

  • Pitch and presentation to practice communication and value proposition

This program focuses on:

Phase 1: Find Your Customer | 2 Virtual sessions

Who is this designed for: Anyone with an idea, existing or future entrepreneurs statewide, students. All types of businesses are invited: hobby, brick-and-mortar, consultants, scalable, tech, etc.

How: Virtual delivery, free to attend. Two group sessions (two hours each), with self-led fieldwork; we want you to actually TALK to your customers. 

Phase 2: Explore your Idea, EXECUTE, AND STARTUP | Nine, 2-hour weekly sessions

Who is this designed for: Post-idea, pre-solution entrepreneurs. Ideally, you participated in Phase 1; however, entrepreneurs who participated in Startup Weekend and entrepreneurs who can prove they have done customer discovery work through another program or on their own are welcome to apply.

How: Hybrid delivery (virtual participation for entrepreneurs outside of Anchorage). Introduction of guest speakers, organized cohort peer sessions, check-ins, and advisor hours.

What/Content: Weekly content focused on testing your idea, market validation, building business structures, goal setting, branding/messaging, and financing.