Path to Prosperity Kicks Off 2016 Competition

Do you or someone you know have an idea or dream to run a business? The Path to Prosperity (P2P) competition aims to identify and support innovative business ideas in Southeast Alaska. Year four of the P2P sustainable business development competition is now open.

Path to Prosperity is a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy and the Haa Aaní Community Development Fund, Inc. (HACDF). Building on the sponsors’ strong relationships across the region, P2P administrators are able to bring the competition and its benefits to communities across Southeast Alaska.

Businesses must operate primarily in Southeast Alaska. “P2P applicants can be existing businesses or start-ups, but do not need to have a full business plan in the first round of the application process,” said Paul Hackenmueller, HACDF competition administrator. “We want to encourage new entrepreneurs to apply, so the Round 1 application asks for a basic description of the business concept.”

Twelve applicants will be selected as finalists to advance to Round 2 of the competition and attend P2P’s Business Boot Camp weekend in Juneau. All 12 finalists receive one-on-one mentorship and consulting that they can use to help write their business plans and grow their businesses after they return to their communities. The Boot Camp experience is valuable for all finalists who attend, whether or not they win the competition. “Thanks to P2P, I have a clear vision of where I am headed and a solid business plan that I developed as the roadmap to the future of our company,” said Tina Steffen of Skya’ana Coffee Co. in Klawock, a 2015 finalist and Boot Camp participant.