Connecting Alaska Consortium

What Connecting Alaska Consortium does

Connecting Alaska Consortium is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, that operates as an agnostic consortium structure connecting Alaska Native tribal leaders with broadband solution providers. Rather than developing or reselling a unified broadband product, the consortium functions as a matching and consulting layer: tribal leaders initiate complimentary consulting discussions, review member capabilities across the full broadband lifecycle (grant writing and applications, financial auditing, network planning and design, deployment, and operations), and select providers appropriate for their specific communities. The organization's core technology is therefore relational and informational rather than proprietary; it aggregates and curates partner offerings spanning LEO satellite (OneWeb), edge data centers (GreenSparc), fixed wireless access (Tarana Wireless), LTE/microwave/fiber (OptimERA xG), network management software (Wind Talker's Osmosis), and full-stack deployment (Quill Solutions, Teltech Group, Verizon).

The consortium monetizes through a tiered annual membership program priced from $1,000 (Silver) to $7,500 (Diamond), with benefits including conference passes, exhibitor booths, newsletter features, social media recognition, and session hosting. Its annual Conference on Broadband (October 2024 in Anchorage at the Marriott Hotel Downtown) serves as the primary demand-generation, networking, and education platform. Additional revenue or in-kind support comes from federal grants, notably the USDA Rural Utility Services Broadband Technical Assistance Program. Customer segments are primarily Alaska Native tribes and tribal leaders (primary), Alaska Native Village Corporations (via ANVCA, 177 corporations and 250+ communities statewide), and rural/remote Alaskan communities seeking connectivity for education, healthcare, economic development, and public safety.

Leadership is Alaska Native and Alaska-affiliated, including President Bryan Maracle (Mohawk Nation citizen, founder of Quill Solutions), Executive Director Matt Perdew (retired US Air Force E-3 AWACS veteran, founder of Wind Talker Innovations), Secretary Gerad Godfrey (Alutiiq, chair of FirstNet's Tribal Working Group since 2014, vice chair of Governor Dunleavy's Broadband Task Force), and Board Member Lisa Hanlon (Cherokee Nation citizen, CEO of Teltech Communications). The consortium pursues a community-led GTM motion emphasizing tribal sovereignty, trust-based engagement, and cultural appropriateness rather than top-down solution push.

Name

Connecting Alaska Consortium

Legal name

Connecting Alaska Consortium

Website

https://connectingalaska.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Non-profit consortium headquartered in Anchorage that empowers Alaska Native tribes and rural communities to evaluate and select broadband solutions from grant application through full network deployment and operation, via a vetted network of technology, funding, and consulting partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tribal Broadband Consulting Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Partner, Channel & Alliance Summits (THAHAMAC)

Keywords

• Tribal broadband consulting
• Rural connectivity services
• Broadband grant writing
• Network deployment support
• Community broadband planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Anchorage

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The consortium generates revenue through tiered annual membership fees ranging from $1,000 (Silver) to $7,500 (Diamond) per year. Membership benefits include conference passes, exhibitor booths, newsletter features, social media recognition, and session hosting opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Connecting Alaska Consortium is an agnostic non-profit consortium that empowers Alaska tribal leaders to evaluate, select, and engage broadband solution providers for their communities. It matches tribal communities with vetted member organizations whose capabilities span the full broadband lifecycle, including grant writing and applications, financial auditing, network planning and design, deployment, and operations. The consortium also operates an annual Conference on Broadband and a tiered membership program for partner organizations.

Product overview

The Connecting Alaska Consortium is a non-profit organization that serves as a broadband opportunity matching and consulting service for Alaskan tribal communities. Rather than offering a unified product platform, the Consortium functions as an agnostic consortium structure that connects tribal leaders with various member organizations providing broadband solutions. Member capabilities span the full broadband lifecycle from grant writing and financial auditing to network planning, design, deployment, and operations. The Consortium does not develop its own proprietary products; rather, it facilitates access to broadband programs and connects tribal communities with technology partners offering solutions including satellite communications, fixed wireless access, network software platforms, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tiered Membership Program (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) Annual subscription-style membership program for broadband technology vendors, consulting firms, Native-owned service providers, funding strategists, and government relations organizations that wish to participate in the Alaska tribal broadband ecosystem. Membership tiers range from Silver ($1,000/year) to Diamond ($7,500/year) and include benefits such as conference passes, exhibitor booths, newsletter features, social media recognition, and session hosting opportunities.
• Annual Conference on Broadband Annual in-person conference hosted in Anchorage, Alaska, bringing together Alaska tribal leaders, broadband solution providers, federal and state partners, and ecosystem stakeholders. Features keynotes, panel discussions, technical breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and networking opportunities focused on broadband funding, planning, and deployment for tribal communities.
• Tribal Broadband Consulting Services Complimentary consulting service provided directly to Alaska tribal leaders to help them navigate broadband programs, evaluate solution providers, and select appropriate opportunities for their communities. Service covers the full broadband lifecycle from application submission through full network construction and operation, with member organizations providing specialized capabilities including grant writing, financial auditing, network planning and design, deployment, and operations.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• OneWebcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2023OneWeb, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications company with 600+ satellites in orbit, partnered with the consortium to expand economic opportunity and enhance access to healthcare, education, and safety in rural Alaska. OneWeb serves as a wholesale connectivity provider seeking to deliver broadband services to unconnected, unserved, and underserved areas through the consortium network.
• Quill SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNative-owned solutions engineering firm that empowers clients with end-to-end services for critical and complex community projects. The team of technology experts plan, engineer, permit and build broadband solutions in rural Alaska.
• GreenSparccoreTechnology or IntegrationBuilding internet infrastructure for a decentralized future by locating modular, scalable edge data centers at power plants close to consumers, prioritizing communities that others have overlooked.
• Wind Talker InnovationscoreTechnology or IntegrationCreated Osmosis, a visionary software suite that integrates with OEM hardware enabling a secure, self-sustaining network solution for blanket connectivity. Osmosis-enabled devices create an ecosystem providing rapidly-enabled network setup and flexibility.
• ANVCA (Alaska Native Village Corporation Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation advocacy organization representing 177 Alaska Native Village corporations and over 250 communities statewide. Promotes the success of Village Corporations and protection of Native lands.
• Capitol Funding SolutionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides guidance, strategy, and expertise to competitively position programs for funding success. Offers full suite of end-to-end services from award identification and strategy consulting to writing and review.
• Northwest StrategiessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAlaska Native and woman-owned full-service brand marketing and communications firm headquartered in Anchorage with expertise in tribal affairs and Alaska Native communities.
• Teltech GroupsupportingTechnology or IntegrationNative American and Woman-owned company offering broadband network deployment solutions, forward/reverse logistics, asset management, equipment sales, talent resourcing, and smart technology solutions since 1999.
• Alaska ForumsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) non-profit organization supporting the Alaska Forum on the Environment, an annual educational event focused on environmental issues and fostering cooperation among regulators and federal agencies in Alaska.
• Tribal ReadycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNative-owned and governed company advancing tribal sovereignty by helping clients secure access to broadband funding, planning, and resources.
• PhoenUXsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSoftware-based ecosystem allowing tokenization of illiquid assets to a crypto-based rewards platform, focused on developing microeconomies as the digital divide is closed.
• Capitol Hill Consulting GroupsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerWashington DC-based, bi-partisan government relations firm providing comprehensive strategies with specialized lobbying services in tax, trade, financial services, appropriations, environment, energy, and healthcare.
• FORT+ Marketing SolutionssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOver 15 years of experience promoting telecom companies to target markets in Alaska, specializing in branding, video creation, web design, social media management, and digital ad campaigns.
• OptimERA xGsupportingTechnology or IntegrationFull suite of telecommunications services (LTE, Satellite, Microwave, and Fiber) and licensed/bonded General Contractor offering complete turnkey solutions from design through construction and business model delivery.
• Raven Project SolutionssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMultidisciplinary consulting firm based in Alaska dedicated to expanding client capabilities through grant-seeking, writing, management, strategic planning, and program management.
• Tarana WirelesssupportingTechnology or IntegrationSpecializes in advanced fixed wireless access solutions delivering high-speed internet to underserved areas, overcoming interference and challenging terrains to bridge the digital divide.
• VerizonsupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides public sector solutions supporting tribal communities with telecommunications services and connectivity options.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WISPA - Wireless Internet Service Providers Association: Trade association representing fixed wireless and WISP operators that deploy broadband in rural and underserved markets. Comparable as an industry organization relevant to CAC's rural broadband ecosystem and member base.
• Connected Nation: Established national nonprofit focused on expanding broadband access and adoption across underserved communities in the U.S. Comparable in non-profit broadband-enablement mission but operating at much larger, multi-state scale.
• FirstNet Authority: Federal authority building a nationwide public safety broadband network for first responders, with dedicated tribal engagement via its Tribal Working Group (chaired by CAC's Secretary). Overlapping tribal-broadband policy domain.
• NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association: National trade association representing small, rural broadband providers. Comparable in mission to advocate for rural broadband deployment and represent rural community interests, though focused on operator members rather than tribal end-users.

Regional players

• Alaska Communications Systems: Alaska-focused broadband and managed IT services provider serving business, government, and consumer markets including rural communities. Comparable as a regional Alaska broadband operator that intersects with CAC's tribal customer base.
• GCI (General Communication Inc.): Largest Alaska-based telecommunications provider delivering broadband across the state, including rural and tribal areas. Comparable as an Alaska-region broadband operator that CAC tribal communities may ultimately select as a solution provider.

Others

• National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA): National non-profit advancing digital equity and inclusion for underserved communities. Comparable as a non-profit advocacy and convening organization in the digital-divide space, though with broader community scope than tribal-specific.
• Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB): National advocacy coalition promoting broadband for anchor institutions and underserved communities. Comparable as a non-profit policy advocate for broadband equity, though focused on schools/health/libraries rather than tribal communities.

Direct peers

• Alaska Native Village Corporation Association (ANVCA): 501(c)(3) education advocacy organization representing 177 Alaska Native Village corporations and 250+ communities statewide. A CAC strategic partner with overlapping mission of Native-community enablement and advocacy in Alaska.

Emerging players

• Tribal Ready: Native-owned and governed company explicitly advancing tribal sovereignty by helping clients secure broadband funding, planning, and resources. Direct strategic partner of CAC with the closest mission overlap and most direct comparability to CAC's tribal broadband enablement work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connecting-alaska-consortium

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Connecting Alaska Consortium