FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Alaska Entrepreneur Week Media Team
Email: contact@akew.org
Website: akew.org

Alaska Entrepreneur Week Returns Sept. 29–Oct. 3: Showcasing and Connecting Entrepreneurs and Support Organizations Statewide

Anchorage, Alaska — August 21, 2025 — Alaska Entrepreneur Week (AKEW), the state’s signature week-long celebration of innovation and small business, returns from September 29 – October 3, 2025. Known as ‘THE Week,’ AKEW brings together entrepreneurs, students, investors, mentors, and support organizations from across Alaska for a week of collaboration, learning, and community-driven growth.

“One week. Dozens of events.”

Designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, AKEW showcases more than 50 events statewide, both in-person and virtual, including workshops, panels, roundtables, and networking mixers. Guided by statewide co-chairs Norma M. Lucero and Pascual Reig, and city leads like PRNsis Bay (Matanuska-Susitna), Sandy Hussein (Juneau), and KellyAnn Cavaretta (Seward), Peter Webley (Fairbanks), Carrie J. Shephard (Valdez, and Ginny Grabowski (Anchorage), AKEW reflects Alaska’s diverse and distributed entrepreneurial spirit.

What to Expect This Year

• Broad participation from all corners of Alaska, as startup founders, small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and even students take center stage to share, learn, and connect. AKEW is inclusive by design, welcoming hosts regionally to organize events aligning with local needs and strengths.

   

• Event variety includes expertise-led workshops on topics like forming business entities, financial projections, storytelling, AI, and sales strategy, as organized by the Alaska SBDC and other partners including 49th State Angel Fund or KeyBank.

   

• Kick-off event: AKEW kicks off at the Petroleum Club of Anchorage on September 29 (11:30 am – 1 pm AKT). The launch event, hosted by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by ConocoPhillips, will feature keynote speakers, networking, and a preview of the statewide programming.

   

Why AKEW Matters

• For Entrepreneurs: Gain tools, knowledge, and connections to grow ideas or scale businesses.
• For Support Organizations: Amplify programs through collective visibility and shared promotion.
• For Alaska: Build a resilient, versatile entrepreneurial ecosystem that fuels long-term economic growth.

How to Get Involved

• Attend Events — Register via akew.org/schedule to explore the full schedule and sign up for workshops, panels, and mixers across Alaska.

   

• Host an Event — Entrepreneurs, organizations, and community builders are invited to contribute to AKEW by designing and hosting locally relevant programming. (Register your event at akew.org/host).

   

• Volunteer or Support — Help power AKEW’s success as a volunteer or sponsor. Visit the “Get Involved” section at akew.org/volunteer to learn more and join the effort.

   

• Stay Updated — Sign up for updates via the website to receive news about speakers, agenda updates, and new opportunities akew.org/updates.

   

About Alaska Entrepreneur Week (AKEW)

Alaska Entrepreneur Week (AKEW) is a volunteer-led, statewide initiative spotlighting and strengthening entrepreneurship across Alaska. Co-chaired by Norma M. Lucero and Pascual Reig, AKEW empowers entrepreneurs, small business owners, and support organizations through one coordinated week of workshops, panels, and networking events. By encouraging, leveraging, and connecting Alaska’s entrepreneurial community, AKEW drives growth, resilience, and versatility statewide. Learn more at akew.org.

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Note to Editors: For interviews, media arrangements, or local story ideas, please contact the media team at contact@akew.org.

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