Digest of the proceedings: UAA-ABM Executive Forum Jan. 14, 2004 ASRC board room, Anchorage.

• Position: Growing Entrepreneur in Alaska - University of Alaska Anchorage - Alaska Business Monthly - American Centre for International Studies

OPENING REMARKS

Thomas R. Case, Dean

College of Business & Public Policy

University of Alaska Anchorage

"The entrepreneur is the heartbeat of business growth, one who organizes, operates and assumes the risk in a business venture in the expectation of gaining a profit. Growing entrepreneurs means a dedication to nurturing the capability to think and be creative in a business environment. About 18 percent of businesses in Alaska are sole proprietorships. These thrive and grow based on entrepreneurial know-how. The people who are starting off at this executive forum are in a position to give us the distillation of their experience in this exciting and important branch of business."

Scott McCracken

President

The Sage Group (A software development company providing Web-based applications and customer support.)

"Alaska is a young state. There are an abundance of young presidents and vice presidents of companies. They are free thinkers, not bound by the stodgy traditions of Wall Street. Being in a state with $27 billion in the bank account, and an even larger store of resources, stimulates people to think in terms of large visions and to look for ways to capture opportunities. There is still a feeling in Alaska that great things are possible.

How can the university help to grow entrepreneurs in Alaska? I have five suggestions:

1. "Eliminate the legal impediments to professors working with businesses to commercialize their inventions.

2. "Bridge the gap between university people with expertise and the businesses that need them. The aviation program and the logistics program are good examples of this working.

3. "Raw ideas have trouble getting the initial capital they need. For example, Lance Ahem had to go to California to capitalize and grow Internet Alaska.

4. "We need more effective networking opportunities to build synergy within entrepreneurial interest areas. High Tech Alaska is trying to do that for the technology sector.

5. "We need to create business incubators to accelerate growth of good ideas into good businesses and support them through the start-up phase. We really need a few of these, not just one all-purpose generic model.

   "Entrepreneurs have a vision, they are willing to take some risk, and they need to recognize and admit their limitations and get the right kind of help. Greed kills entrepreneurs!"

   Dr. Michelle Williamson

   Executive Director

   UAA Business Enterprise Institute

   "How can we promote entrepreneurship in Alaska? How do rich...