Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Name

Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Legal name

Alaska Small Business Development Center

Website

https://aksbdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Development Services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Educational Support Services (61171), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs (BPADABAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI), Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF)

Keywords

• Small business advising
• Business development services
• Entrepreneurship training
• SBIR grant assistance
• Small business lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Anchorage

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal Funding (SBA Cooperative Agreement): The Alaska SBDC network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), representing 50% of the program budget ($833,333 annually).
2. State Matching Funds: 50% of the program budget ($833,333) is provided through non-federal matching funds from the State of Alaska, partner boroughs, cities, and other sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Alaska SBDC provides no-cost, confidential one-on-one business advising with certified advisors, complemented by free and low-cost workshops (live webinars and on-demand videos), free business tools and templates, and specialized programs including the AI Resource Program, TREND (SBIR/STTR innovation support), Business Credit Improvement Program, and SSBCI/Tribal SSBCI funding programs. Services span the full business lifecycle from pre-launch through exit and are delivered statewide through 7 regional centers and an online client portal.

Product overview

Alaska SBDC is a service organization offering a comprehensive suite of business development resources, not a single software product. The core offerings include one-on-one business advising with certified advisors, workshops/training (both live and on-demand), and tools/templates. Specialized programs include the AI Resource Program (AI-powered advising tools), TREND (SBIR/STTR innovation support with Phase 0 funding), Business Credit Improvement Program, and SSBCI/Tribal SSBCI (major capital deployment programs totaling $142M). Additional offerings encompass manufacturing resources, industry-specific toolkits, partner-produced training, BuyAlaska marketplace, and a Client Portal platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-on-One Business Advising No-cost, confidential one-on-one business coaching provided by certified Alaska SBDC advisors, covering pre-launch planning, growth strategy, recovery, funding assistance, and buying/selling of businesses. Targeted at Alaska small business owners and entrepreneurs.
• Workshops & Training Free and low-cost business workshops delivered as on-demand self-service videos and live webinars on topics including AI, accounting, marketing, business financing, technology, cybersecurity, business planning, and rural business development. Targeted at Alaska small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and the general public.
• Tools & Templates Free downloadable documents, spreadsheets, and templates used by Alaska SBDC advisors on a regular basis, including business plan outlines, financial model worksheets, industry research reports, and operational checklists. Targeted at Alaska small business owners and entrepreneurs.
• AI Resource Program Program that demystifies AI for business owners by providing AI-powered tools, expert-led workshops, and networking opportunities. Custom GPTs and chatbots developed in-house are used internally and shared with peer SBDCs. Targeted at Alaska small business owners adopting AI.
• TREND (Technology, Research, Education & Development Center) Innovation support program assisting Alaska small businesses with technology research and development, including SBIR/STTR grant assistance and Phase 0 funding for proposal development. Targeted at Alaska innovators and technology startups pursuing federal R&D funding.
• Business Credit Improvement Program 12-month structured program helping business owners improve credit scores through three phases (Foundation, Building, Strengthening) with monthly meetings and customized action plans. Targeted at Alaska small business owners seeking to build business credit.
• State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Federally-funded program allocating approximately $59M through loan guarantee ($54M), loan participation ($0.9M), and venture capital ($5M) programs to help Alaska businesses access funding through participating lenders and investment funds. Targeted at Alaska small businesses, SEDI-owned businesses, and very small businesses.
• Tribal SSBCI Consortium Nation's largest tribal consortium under SSBCI, partnering with 125 Alaska Tribes to deploy $83.1M through loan guarantee ($49.9M), loan participation ($10.3M), and venture capital ($22.9M) programs. Targeted at tribal-owned and Alaska Native small businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Manufacturing & Onshoring Resources Resources helping Alaska manufacturers start, grow, and succeed, including funding access, permitting guidance, supply chain support, and export assistance. Targeted at Alaska small and medium-sized manufacturers in food processing, wood products, and advanced manufacturing.
• Industry Toolkits In-depth guides for starting businesses in specific industries, including bed & breakfast, body art, brewery, construction, food business, janitorial service, massage, salon, and assisted living. Targeted at aspiring and startup Alaska small business owners.
• Partner-Produced Training Curated training videos from partner organizations including Amazon, America's SBDC, Etsy, EXIM Bank, Google, SBA, and USPTO. Targeted at Alaska small business owners and entrepreneurs.
• Client Portal (eCenter Direct) Online platform for Alaska SBDC clients to access workshops, communicate with advisors, and share documents confidentially. Targeted at registered Alaska SBDC clients.
• BuyAlaska Statewide initiative connecting Alaska manufacturers with local consumers and procurement officers through a free business directory listing. Targeted at Alaska manufacturers and Alaska buyers/procurement officers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,724 clients served, 165 new business starts, 3,937 jobs supported, $82 million sales growth, 107 communities impacted in 2025 alone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1986Host institution for Alaska SBDC through the Business Enterprise Institute (BEI). Provides institutional infrastructure, academic resources, and 50% matching funds. UAA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution.
• America's SBDCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization representing the SBDC network. Alaska SBDC is an accredited member. Provides access to national resources, training, and peer network.
• EX-IM Bank (Export-Import Bank)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal export financing agency. SBDC provides links to EXIM training videos for exporters and refers clients for export assistance.
• USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal IP agency. SBDC provides USPTO training videos on patents, trademarks, and copyrights through partner-produced training resources.
• U.S. Department of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal department with programs including NIST MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) that SBDC connects clients to for manufacturing assistance.
• Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing business licensing, economic development programs, and regulatory guidance. Partner on Made in Alaska program.
• Municipality of AnchorageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing support for Anchorage-based small businesses and economic development initiatives.
• Kenai Peninsula BoroughminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner supporting Kenai Peninsula businesses through regional economic development.
• Matanuska-Susitna BoroughminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner supporting Mat-Su region businesses through regional economic development.
• City & Borough of JuneauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner supporting Juneau and Southeast Alaska businesses.
• Alaska APEX (formerly PTAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProcurement Technical Assistance Center providing guidance on government contracting, SAM registration, and certifications (HUBZone, 8(a)) for Alaska manufacturers and small businesses seeking procurement opportunities.
• Center ICE at UAFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks SBIR support program providing cohort-based SBIR accelerator programs, proposal writing guidance, mentorship, and customer discovery training through NSF I-Corps.
• Alaska Export Assistance Center (U.S. Commercial Service)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal export assistance helping Alaska businesses with international market entry, exporting manufactured goods, and trade compliance.
• Anchorage Economic Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization supporting Anchorage businesses.
• 125 Alaska Tribes (Tribal SSBCI Consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 125 Alaska Tribes for the nation's largest Tribal SSBCI Consortium, deploying $83.1 million in funding programs including loan guarantees, loan participation, and venture capital.
• Nebraska SBDCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner state SBDC that adopted Alaska's AI Resource Program model for their consulting services. Alaska SBDC shared resources and trained Nebraska staff.
• New Hampshire Small Business Development CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner SBDC that received AI training from Alaska SBDC Director Carlos Machuca. Implemented custom GPT tools for daily operations and client value delivery.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SCORE Association: National nonprofit network providing free mentoring, workshops, and resources to small businesses. Directly comparable as a parallel SBA resource partner delivering no-cost business advising to entrepreneurs across all U.S. states.
• Florida SBDC Network: Largest state SBDC network in the U.S., providing no-cost business advising and training to Florida small businesses. Directly comparable peer offering the same SBA cooperative agreement-based model in a different geography.
• California Small Business Development Centers: Network of SBDCs serving California small businesses through no-cost consulting, training, and capital access support. Operates the same federal-state cooperative model as Alaska SBDC at higher absolute scale.
• Women's Business Centers (WBC): SBA-funded network providing business training and advising specifically to women entrepreneurs. Comparable as another federal resource partner delivering no-cost consulting to a defined small business demographic.
• Texas Small Business Development Centers: Texas SBDC Network operating across multiple regional centers providing no-cost advising and training. Directly comparable in offering the same SBA-cooperative model with similar role in driving small business outcomes.
• Alaska APEX (formerly Alaska PTAC): Alaska Procurement Technical Assistance Center providing guidance on government contracting for Alaska small businesses. Directly comparable as another Alaska-located SBA-affiliated resource partner assisting the same client base.

Others

• America's SBDC: National association representing the accredited SBDC network. Alaska SBDC is an accredited member; comparable as the umbrella organization that coordinates the network of state SBDCs.
• National Association of Small Business Development Centers (NASBDC): Professional association providing training, certification, and best-practice sharing to the SBDC network. Comparable as the peer-coordination body supporting SBDC operations nationally.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Federal agency providing funding, guarantees, and oversight for the SBDC network and broader small business ecosystem. The Alaska SBDC operates under an SBA cooperative agreement, making SBA the parent regulator and incumbent funder.

Regional players

• Spruce Root Community Development: Alaska-based CDFI providing financing and economic development services to small businesses. Comparable as an Alaska-region capital deployment peer participating in SSBCI programs alongside Alaska SBDC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/alaskasbdc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/AlaskaSmallBusinessDevelopmentCenterAnchorage
• Facebookfacebook.com/alaskasbdc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alaska-small-business-development-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/alaskasbdc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC)