Alaska, known for its wild landscapes, is also becoming a growing hub for technology and innovation. With a growing startup ecosystem, the state is home to entrepreneurs looking to explore new markets. We’ve looked into the rising startup scene in Alaska and compiled a list of the top investors and VC firms that are supporting its growth. Based on a range of data and metrics, here are the top 10 VC funds that are actively investing in Alaska’s expanding startup community
Here's a table that summarizes the overall VC data for a quick overview:
| VC Firm | Ticket Size | Stages | Founding Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Venture Fund | Community-driven projects, no specific size | Seed and early-stage | 2021 |
| Pt Capital | Not publicly disclosed | Growth-stage | 2013 |
| McKinley Alaska Private Investment | Not disclosed | Private equity, venture capital | 1980 |
| First Alaskan Capital Partners | $50M - $100M | Private equity, growth | 2010 |
| Alyeska Venture Management | Seed stage investments | Seed | 2014 |
| Madrona Venture Group | $500K - $10M | Seed, Series A, Series B | 1995 |
| Northrim Bank | Not specified | Private equity, venture capital | 1990 |
| Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) | Varies | Venture capital, private equity | 1971 |
| Lightspeed Venture Partners | $500K to $100M+ | Seed, Series A, Series B | 2000 |
| Tugboat Ventures | $250K to $5M | Seed and early-stage | 2006 |
1. Alaska Venture Fund
The Alaska Venture Fund is a venture capital firm that invests in local talent and inspires sustainable change in Alaska. They invest in bold ideas and innovative partnerships. They foster a better future by infusing Indigenous knowledge and sustainable strategies into their work. Alaska Venture Fund supports businesses and initiatives that promote lasting growth, environmental care, and economic opportunity for all.
- Website : alaskaventure.org
- Founding Year : 2021
- Investment Range : Focuses on community-driven projects, no specific ticket size mentioned
- Stage : Seed and early-stage
- Sector : Social change, sustainable energy, and local talent
- Geography : Primarily Alaska
- Notable Investments : Focuses on local community ventures
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
2. Pt Capital
Pt Capital Venture Capital Firm: It invests in high-potential markets within North America and Europe. Its Alaska roots run deep; therefore, it will be sure to invest in those kinds of companies that have great bases with good growth opportunities. Relationship-driven, Pt Capital supplies businesses with the capital and strategic resources that allow them to flourish and become great. Their objective is long-term value creation by means of partnerships with companies operating within such verticals as tourism, logistics, and technology.
- Website : ptcapital.com
- Founding Year : 2013
- Investment Range : Not publicly disclosed
- Stage : Growth-stage
- Sector : Infrastructure, tourism, energy, and hospitality
- Geography : Alaska and Arctic regions
- Notable Investments : Northern Tourism Group, Alaska Native Corporations, Renewable Energy
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
3. McKinley Alaska Private Investment
McKinley Alaska Private Investment is a VC firm investing in innovative companies that expose Alaska's unique environment. The investments are made in businesses tackling important areas such as energy, climate tech, and natural resources. McKinley applies deep local connections and worldwide expertise to identify promising opportunities. Their main goal is to contribute to the growth of ambitious companies by concurrently contributing to Alaska's economic and environmental future.
- Website : mckinley-alaska.com
- Founding Year : 1980
- Investment Range : Not disclosed
- Stage : Private equity, venture capital
- Sector : Resource management, financial services, infrastructure
- Geography : Alaska-focused with global partners
- Notable Investments : Local infrastructure and private equity projects
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
4. First Alaskan Capital Partners
First Alaskan Capital Partners is a VC firm that invests in private companies, focusing on such industries as telecommunications, energy, and financial services. It partners with businesses displaying robust growth potential and value in real estate. At First Alaskan Capital Partners, they bring deep experience and strong connections in Alaska, providing the necessary capital and support to foster successful companies through controlling and non-controlling investments with the goal of driving sustainable long-term growth.
- Website : firstalaskan.com
- Founding Year : 2010
- Investment Range : $50M - $100M
- Stage : Private equity, growth
- Sector : Telecommunications, energy, real estate, financial services
- Geography : Alaska and national-level investments
- Notable Investments : Trilogy International Partners, Geneva Woods Pharmacy, Remitly, Cybele’s Free-To-Eat
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
5. Alyeska Venture Management
Alyeska Venture Management is an early-stage, Alaska-based venture capital firm. They operate the Alaska Accelerator Fund to invest in local entrepreneurs and their innovative ideas. Alyeska offers capital, advice, and hands-on involvement with its portfolio companies, from the planning and strategy phases to growth and exit. Its objective is to develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Alaska by backing companies with high potential for both local and global success.
- Website : akacceleratorfund.com
- Founding Year : 2014
- Investment Range : Seed stage investments through Alaska Accelerator Fund
- Stage : Seed
- Sector : Varied, with a focus on innovative technology
- Geography : Primarily Alaska
- Notable Investments : Various early-stage startups in Alaska
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
6. Madrona Venture Group
Madrona Venture Group is a VC firm investing in technology-oriented startups all over the U.S., including Alaska, up to cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and consumer internet. Madrona Venture Group partners with innovative entrepreneurs, offering funding, mentorship, and access to a network of industry experts. Their goal is to support the growth and scaling up of those startups on a national and global level.
- Website : www.madrona.com
- Founding Year : 1995
- Investment Range : $500K - $10M
- Stage : Seed, Series A, Series B
- Sector : Cloud computing, AI, consumer internet
- Geography : U.S., including Alaska
- Notable Investments: Snowflake, Redfin, Rover
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
7. Northrim Bank
Northrim Bank is a venture capital firm that invests in Alaskan businesses with flexible financing and expert guidance. Their business focus is on helping local companies grow. Northrim provides customized support for Alaskan industries such as commercial fishing, construction, and healthcare. Their objective is to help the companies fuel Alaska's economy through responsive, personalized lending solutions for long-term success.
- Website : northrim.com
- Founding Year : 1990
- Investment Range : Not specified
- Stage : Private equity and venture capital
- Sector : Community banking, various sectors
- Geography : Alaska
- Notable Investments : Investments in regional businesses in Alaska
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
8. Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI)
CIRI is a venture capital firm that invests in various industries: energy, infrastructure, real estate, and technology. With a commitment to benefitting Alaska Native communities, CIRI teams up with creative companies to build long-term value and economic growth. By applying extensive local knowledge and expertise, they foster self-sufficiency and prosperity for its shareholders while helping businesses grow and succeed across Alaska and beyond.
- Website : ciri.com
- Founding Year : 1971
- Investment Range : Varies
- Stage : Venture capital and private equity
- Sector : Real estate, energy, telecommunications, and technology
- Geography : Alaska and beyond
- Notable Investments : Large Alaskan infrastructure and tech projects
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
9. Lightspeed Venture Partners
Lightspeed Venture Partners is a VC firm that invests in bold, contrarian ideas across technology, healthcare, and fintech. From seed to late stages, Lightspeed partners with founders to accelerate high growth. Since its inception, Lightspeed has invested in more than 500 enterprise and consumer companies globally, including Snap, Affirm, and Epic Games. It focuses on helping founders with big vision and relentless drive to change the world through technology.
- Website : lsvp.com
- Founding Year : 2000
- Investment Range : $500K to $100M+
- Stage : Seed, Series A, Series B
- Sector : Technology, healthcare, consumer, and financial services
- Geography : Global, including Alaska
- Notable Investments : Snap, Affirm, Mulesoft, Giphy, AppDynamics
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
10. Tugboat Ventures
Tugboat Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups across North America, including Alaska. It invests in firms with very strong growth potential in SaaS, enterprise software, and technology. Tugboat Ventures offers capital and strategic guidance to help businesses scale and become successful in competitive markets.
- Website : www.tugboatventures.com
- Founding Year : 2006
- Investment Range : $250K to $5M
- Stage : Seed and early-stage
- Sector : SaaS, enterprise software, technology
- Geography : North America, including Alaska
- Notable Investments : Various North American tech startups
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Is VC high risk?
Venture capital is a type of investment that can be risky but has the potential for high returns. However, there is no guarantee of success. Investing in startups is always uncertain, and you might lose your money. Even though VC firms try to minimize risks, investing in startups is always uncertain, and you might lose your money. - What is the best country to set up a VC fund?
If you’re looking to set up a VC fund, many people think the United States has the best venture capital (VC) funds worldwide. This is because the US has a big economy, lots of money available, and many successful startups. - What cities have the most VC investments?
The top five cities for venture capital investment are San Francisco, New York City, Boston, San Jose, and Los Angeles. These cities together receive more than two-thirds (67.5%) of all venture capital investments. - What is the minimum amount for a VC fund?
Venture capital funds usually ask for a minimum investment of $250,000 to $500,000, and sometimes even more. Investing a small amount of money can still cost a lot. These funds are usually only open to wealthy people and big organizations that have a lot of money. - How do I choose a VC fund?
To choose a VC fund, check how much experience and success the venture capital firm has had before. Look at the companies they’ve invested in before to see if they match what your business does. This can help you figure out if they’re a good match for you.
Best of luck with your amazing ventures.
Please note that this list is filtered by various metrics, and all the data are collected through various third-party websites, mostly the VC website. Since data such as ticket size or industry may change, you are requested to visit the official website given in the blog for the latest and updated information.