In 2005 TDF Foundation began a partnership with the Alaska Federation of Natives to launch this ground breaking and innovative, private-public collaboration to stimulate entrepreneurial business development. Over one-hundred seventy entrepreneurs submitted business ideas to the Marketplace. Twenty-two winners were selected and received awards ranging from $8,000 to $50,000. Year 2 of the Marketplace was launched in May 2007 and over three-hundred entrepreneurs submitted business ideas to the Marketplace. Twenty entrepreneurs received seed funding awards ranging from $15,000 to $60,000. Additionally, winners received twelve months of mentoring select services that assisted with building out their business plans such as legal, acounting, marketing, IT and human resources.

The Alaska Marketplace model gives entrepreneurs whose voices were usually ignored, an opportunity to put forward their business ideas and compete for seed funding. Providing business education and support for burgeoning entrepreneurs in Alaska. It created a venue where innovators and funding sources could meet, network and create sustainable businesses in rural Alaska. TDF Foundation is a principal partner in the development, implementation and management of this project.
www.alaskamarketplace.org

Foundation Page
Click here