AKEW Introduction / Kickoff Anchorage
Alaska Entrepreneurship Week (AKEW) designed by and for Alaska’s entrepreneurs, the week brings together founders, students, investors, and support organizations to share knowledge, build connections, and spark new opportunities. From workshops and panels to networking mixers and pitch competitions, AKEW highlights the energy of Alaska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the vital role it plays in shaping the state’s economic future.
The statewide Kickoff Event marks the official launch of the week, setting the tone for days of collaboration and inspiration. This presentation brings together leaders, partners, and community members from across Alaska to unveil the vision for AKEW, spotlight featured events, and recognize the people driving entrepreneurial growth across the state. Attending the kickoff ensures you’re at the center of the conversation and connected to the many opportunities unfolding throughout the week.
FOR IN PERSON, register –> here
Facebook event –> here
The URL for virtual meeting is at the bottom of the page.
Event organized by
Event sponsored by
Pascual J. Reig
Business Advisor, SBDC
Strategy & Operations Analyst, REFocus
Pascual J. Reig is a business strategy and operations consultant at REFocus, and an innovation leader known for helping organizations grow, optimize, and adapt. In his role as an advisor with the Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC), he works closely with entrepreneurs, small business owners, and support organizations across Alaska to strengthen operations, unlock funding opportunities, and build strategic clarity.
With a professional background that spans engineering, real estate, construction, and consulting, Pascual brings a cross-sector, systems-thinking approach to every project, and he did the same upon arrival in Alaska over a decade ago: he has played a key role in several high-impact initiatives, including the revitalization of Alaska Entrepreneurship Week (AKEW) and the founding of Launch:Alaska, where he served on the inaugural Board of Directors.
Bilingual and globally minded, Pascual combines U.S. and European experience, drawing on insights from technical industries, customer service, and his close connections to medical professionals in Spain. Whether building innovation programs, designing AI-assisted business roadmaps, or advising rural entrepreneurs, Pascual approaches each challenge with creativity, pragmatism, and a commitment to meaningful impact.
Norma M. Lucero
Deputy Director, AGC Alaska
Norma M. Lucero serves as the Deputy Director of The Associated General Contractors of Alaska. Norma joined AGC AK from the Small Business Administration, where she served as the Economic Development Specialist / Public Information Officer, leading the SBA in its mission to empower individuals to start, grow, expand, and recover their business.
Prior to that, Norma played an instrumental role as the Statewide DBE and OJT Program Manager at the State of Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights Office in revamping and transforming business and workforce development initiatives into programs of excellence and and program templates for best practices at the national level.
Norma enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors with her family, traveling and mentoring youth.
Ricky Tejapaibul
Managing Partner and CEO
Ricky Tejapaibul is the Managing Partner and CEO of Tech Wildcatters, a venture capital firm headquartered in Dallas and one of the first 15 startup accelerators in the world.
Ricky has been active in Alaska’s startup ecosystem for the past 4 years and now leads Tech Wildcatters’s expansion into Alaska. He has been on the planning committee for Alaska Entrepreneurship Week for the past 3 years. Ricky is an active angel investor, entrepreneur, startup mentor, and has worked in various roles including management consulting, investment banking, and corporate finance for companies in the Fortune 500. Ricky earned multiple master’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon University including an MBA and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Ginny Grabowski
Business Advisor, Anchorage SBDC
Ginny has been navigating the waters of entrepreneurship and small-business ownership for over 20 years. She is committed to empowering others and is excited to be working to further the SBDC’s mission to help small businesses grow throughout Alaska.
Ginny’s background is in the health and wellness sector. With a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion she has expertise in creating and scaling businesses that promote health and wellness. Her strengths are strategic partnership management, client engagement and creating community through workshops, training, and the development of health programs.
Ginny’s ventures have emphasized the importance of a user-centric approach, leveraging technology through website development, social media marketing, and app development to enhance customer experience and engagement.
Ginny arrived in Alaska in 2002 and lost her heart to Alaska while working in the tourist industry in and around Denali National Park. In her downtime you’ll find her running, cycling, skiing, or dancing to live music with her husband all over Southcentral Alaska.
Nolan Klouda
Nolan Klouda is the Policy Director for the office of Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. In that capacity, his portfolio includes state and federal relations, economic development, housing, and fiscal policy.
He lives in Anchorage with his partner, Michelle, and two children: Cecilia and Winston.
Calvin Chang
Director 49 State Angel Fund
