2012 Alaska Business Plan Competition winners named

The judges came, saw and voted the best business plan pitch in the 2012 Alaska Business Plan Competition, held Saturday, April 28 at the UAA College of Business and Public Policy.

Congratulations to these 2012 winning entrepreneurs:

    Kinetic Drone Group - First Place
          Remote aerial vehicle services
          Entrepreneurs: Cody Kubitz and Danika Alexander

    Alaska Organics - Second Place & People's Choice Award
          Alaska grown aeroponic produce
          Entrepreneur: Nicholas Pless

    YouPlay - Third Place
          Electronic gaming establishment
          Entrepreneurs: Jacob Taylor and Craig Bisgard

A special thank you goes out to the judges:

• Chad Steadman - First National Bank of Alaska
• Mike Martin - Northrim Bank
• Wanetta Ayers - Alaska Department of Commerce
• Eric McCullum - Angel Investor
• Joe Morison - 49th State Angel Fund
• Jon Bittner - Anchorage Economic Development Center

The business plan competition was the final event this year in the Entrepreneurial Edge free speaker series and entrepreneurs boot camp, hosted by UAA College of Business and Public Policy, University of Alaska Southeast and Alaska Pacific University. Team, Inc. was also a co-sponsor, and financial support for the speaker series was provided by Northrim Bank and First National Bank of Alaska.

Prize money of $6,000 was distributed among the winning teams. Will you be an entrepreneur next year? Bookmark the Alaska Business Plan Competition website, and stay tuned for next year's details!