Five Alaska-based Startups Selected For Accelerator
gener8tor and Alaska Center ICE welcome the seventh gBETA Alaska cohort
Anchorage, AK - Five Alaska-based companies have been selected to participate in a statewide startup accelerator program. Bialume, Local Loop, Remote Hands, SWOOP, and VLO ID will participate in the gBETA Alaska program through national venture capital firm gener8tor.
gBETA Alaska is a seven-week accelerator program designed to set a path for startups to scale and pursue investment opportunities. Startup founders receive intensive coaching and access to gener8tor's national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors. Since 2021, the program has graduated 30 Alaska companies that have raised nearly $5.9 million in funding.
The five selected companies were chosen based on their growth potential and investor readiness. See below for more details on each company.
“Talent exists in Alaska, and the founders behind these companies are evidence of that,” said Erica Dye, gBETA Alaska Program Manager. “As a mentor, you are a startup's toughest yet most honest friend and I look forward to helping these companies refine their strategies and scale.”
The gBETA program is intense. Founders receive feedback to iterate upon weekly, if not daily. They will also establish relationships with an incredible network of supportive mentors both locally and from generators' national network to lean upon during and after the program.
The program is made possible by a partnership with the Center for Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship (Center ICE), the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Innovation Hub. Center ICE provides an extensive range of programs that provide funding and training designed to support the commercialization of research into real world solutions. Center ICE is directed by Interim Director Prof. Peter Webley, who also serves as the Associate Director of Research at the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI) and was the Vice-President of UAF’s first start-up, V-ADAPT, Inc.
"Center ICE is honored to bring this program to Alaska to support researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs who have real solutions but need resources, assistance and expertise to launch,” said Webley.
At the end of the gBETA program, the startup founders will pitch their companies to investors, community partners and the public at a showcase event at 5 p.m. on May 28 at the Awaken theater, 5295 Juneau St., Anchorage, AK.
Startup companies and founders interested in learning more about gBETA’s programming and resources or applying to a future program can visit the gener8tor gBETA website, or reach out to Erica Dye at erica.dye@gener8tor.com. Those interested in mentoring these companies or getting involved in other ways are also encouraged to connect.
gBETA Alaska Spring 2025 Cohort
Bialume Technologies empowers researchers and resource managers to collect biological data from living organisms in a non-invasive format, and provides instant data interpretation through a powerful analytics platform. The hardware-software integrated platform transforms bioimpedance data into field-ready analytics for critical decision-making in conservation, aquaculture, and ecosystem management. Bialume technology has an ARR of $250K and is used in 34 universities worldwide.
Keith Cox | keith@bialume.com | bialume.com
Local Loop connects locally owned businesses directly with tourists using an AI-powered platform. Businesses share their stories and offerings with Local Loop, while tourists share their interests and goals for their visit. Local Loop then crafts customized, self-guided tours that match tourists with local businesses and experiences. Local Loop is on track to interview 100 customers and launch its MVP by June 2025.
Syneva Runyan | syneva@localloopcommunity.com | localloopcommunity.com
Remote Hands connects organizations managing remote assets with local technicians to provide immediate on-site assistance, troubleshooting, and basic maintenance tasks via live video and communication tools. Remote Hands reduces infrastructure management costs for telecommunications companies, healthcare facilities, government agencies, and utilities by reducing need for expensive fly-in support. Remote Hands has an MVP and has engaged with 10 potential customers and 20+ technicians across Alaska.
Gabriel Lowe | gabriel@remotehandsak.com | remotehandsak.com
Kyle Dufrane | kyle@remotehandsak.com
SWOOP empowers active, adventurous women by offering thoughtfully designed apparel that blends comfort, performance, and style. Customers trust SWOOP to keep up with their fast-paced lives, whether they’re exploring the outdoors or tackling everyday tasks. SWOOP is sold in 9 stores and has a lifetime revenue of $650K+ with $300K generated in 2024.
Virginia Lynn Peterson | wearswoop@gmail.com | wearswoop.com
VloID enables independent bike shops to easily track and analyze customer data to better manage inventory, reduce service wait times and maximize profit. VloID’s AI-powered mobile app and CRM streamlines the process of diagnosing bikes, communicating with customers, and ordering parts, all while providing insights on the characteristics of its customer base and visibility into the future. The platform delivers immediate cost savings while simultaneously enhancing service consistency and customer satisfaction. VloID has launched an MVP with pilot partners and has four Letters of Intent (LOIs) secured, confirming demand for a more efficient, transparent, and cost-reducing tech-enabled service experience.
Mathieu Bilodeau | mat@thevloid.com | thevloid.com
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About gener8tor
gener8tor is a global venture firm and accelerator network that supports startups, workers, employers, artists and musicians across race, place and gender. gener8tor partners with companies, governments, universities and nonprofits to operate programs and conferences in more than 48 communities across 28 states and and five countries. Fast Company named gener8tor one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021 and 2022. The International Trade Council recognized gener8tor as the Global Venture Capital Firm of the Year in 2022.
About gBETA
gBETA is a non-equity accelerator that facilitates the growth of early-stage companies through a network-driven program. This accelerator supports five startups per cohort and requires no fees for startups and takes no equity. Since launching in 2015, gBETA accelerator alumni have raised $841M+ in capital and created 5200+ jobs across the U.S. and Canada.
About Center ICE
The UAF Center for Innovation, Collaboration, and Entrepreneurship (Center ICE) draws from the University of Alaska’s best research to support its development, launch it as a real world solution, and help it scale up. Center ICE provides an extensive range of programs that provide funding, training, and expertise designed to meet the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff.