2025 Aleut Shareholder Marketplace Application

Aleut Marketplace

Welcome to the Aleut Marketplace (AM) business plan competition! Submitting this Application is the first step toward competing for up to $20,000 in business grant awards from Alaska Growth Capital (AGC) to launch or grow your business. The AM business plan competition is open to Aleut Shareholders and Registered Descendants statewide, that are 18 years of age or older, who have a for-profit business, or business idea, in need of funding. For more information, please visit www.alaskagrowth.com, and visit "MARKETPLACE." Entrepreneurs must submit this 2025 AM Concept Application by 11:59 pm, on May 30, 2025.
Business Overview

Below please share the proposed or existing name of your business, location from which you plan to operate, if you are launching a new or existing business, and what type of business best encompasses your plan. Please note that applicants are not required to maintain the business name listed and can change the name of their business at any point throughout the competition. Additionally, we understand that other elements of this overview section may also change. Please share your plan as of the date of this application and if things change during the course of the competition, we look forward to supporting you with your business’ development.
Name of Business*
Applicants can change the name of the business at any point during the competition
Business Location*
Status of Business (Note: Existing Business that is expanding must demonstrate the “newness” and stand-alone success of expanded operations).*

New BsuinessExisting Business that is expanding
Type of Business*

AgricultureArt/Jewelry/Traditional CraftsAuto LeasingAuto RepairBuilding/ConstructionCatering ServicesChildcareCleaning ServicesCoffee ShopEntertainment & RecreationEvent Planning ServicesGraphic DesignHealth & Beauty Products and/or ServicesLodgingProperty MaintenanceRestaurantRetail & Wholesale TradeSocial ServicesStoreTax Preparation & BookkeepingTour Operation/ActivitiesTransportation/Courier ServicesWaste Management & RemediationWebsite DesignOther
If "Other," Please Explain
Personal Disclosure Information:
The AM is an elite program that aims to support individuals and business owners of the highest character. We understand that everyone has a past, and it is our goal to promote those that are serious about moving themselves and their business forward today. To this end, we conduct background checks on all applicants. First and foremost, we aim to ensure the safety and security of all our participants and employees. Additionally, if there are areas of concern, it is our aim to address them on a case-by-case basis to understand the circumstances involved. This information is not used to disqualify applicants, but rather better understand individuals applying to the program. Similarly, we perform credit score assessments to better understand and support program applicants. Additional support will be provided to individuals with low credit scores to ensure equal opportunity throughout the remainder of the program and beyond. All information collected for the background check and credit score assessment will be kept confidential.
Applicant:

Shareholder or Registered Descendent
Name*

First NameLast Name
Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Physical/Home Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number*
Email*
example@example.com
Birth Date

MonthDayYear
Social Security Number*
Married

YesNo
If "Yes," Spouse Name
Any Family Relationship to The Aleut Corporation Board of Directors or Executive Team?*

YesNo
If "Yes," what is the relationship and to whom?
If Currently Employed:
Name of Employer
Work Address
Business Phone Number
Title
Annual Salary

$0-$26,000$27,000-$44,000$45,000-$69,000$70,000-$104,000$105,000 or above
Length of Time in Position
Amount of any other incomes and source(s)
Narrative Questions

Please answer the following questions about your business/business idea
Product or Service Offered: Tell us about your business idea!
1. Provide a description of the product or service offered by the business. This is your opportunity to tell us all about what the business aims to do. For example, if you are opening a coffee shop, tell us about the location, hours of operation, types of beverages available, price of beverages, number of beverages sold, general expenses anticipated, etc.
Problem/Need/Opportunity: Why are you starting this business?
2. Describe the problem, need, or opportunity that your product or service addresses within the community.· Discuss your target market and your understanding of the types of customer that will buy your product or service today and in the future.· List any known competitors that have similar products or services already available in the market. In this question, give us an overview of the market as you see it. Again, if you are opening a coffee shop, tell us why your community needs a coffee shop, who you will be selling to and if there are other similar businesses in the area that sell coffee.
Unique Competitive Advantage: What makes your business the best?
3. Detail the unique competitive advantage of your product or service. Here, tell us all the reasons your product or service is different and better from existing competitors in the market. In the coffee shop example, maybe your shop offers a more affordable product as well as a drive through window and an order ahead service that allow customers to receive their coffee more quickly and efficiently over competitors.
Impact: How does/will your business engage the community?
4. Outline the effects of your business on the broader Aleutians community; think job creation, sourcing products and/or services locally, community partnerships, etc. As a Community Development Financial Institution (“CDFI”), AGC grows economic opportunity, rooted in community. We aim to encourage a similar way of doing business with the businesses we fund, through the Aleut Marketplace. Tell us how your business has a positive impact on the community in which it operates and the Aleutians as a whole. Again, in the coffee shop example, barista training for area youth could be an added social and financial benefit or impact for the community created by the business.
Business Experience: Tell us about your business know how!
5. Characterize the overall management capacity of yourself and your team, as applicable. Highlight if you have any experience managing or operating the type of business explained above and whether you have owned your own business or worked at a small business previously. Describe how your professional and life experiences make you uniquely qualified to lead this particular business. Also, tell us about an area you would like to improve upon as an entrepreneur and what you hope to learn from the AM program. Finally, as an owner of a coffee shop, you could detail your previous work experience as a barista as well as your current experience as a manager of 3 people. An area of improvement could be that you have never owned your own business and aim to learn the fundamentals of business ownership, specifically marketing, from the ASM program.
Shareholder's or Registered Descendant's Personal Financial Statement:
(If married, provide all joint assets and liabilities for your family)
Personal Assets & Details

Please provide a dollar amount for all personal assets. Use as many dropdowns as necessary.
Type of Asset*
Total personal assets
Personal Liabilities

Please select the type of loan and include Creditor/Loan holder name, monthly amount, and value. Example: "Wells Fargo Bank, $375, $8,500" (Use as many dropdowns as necessary).
Type of Loan*
Total personal liabilities (how much you owe)
Estimated total net worth (total assets minus liabilities)
Access to Tech Tools

In an effort to better understand and engage Aleut Marketplace applicants, the following questions provide AGC with insight into your familiarity with the following tools, resources, and activities:
Access to a computer:

Own a computerUse Village Resource Representative (VRR) computerNo computer accessAccess to work computerAccess to a family/friend's computerOther
Access to the internet:

Very FrequentFrequentOccasionallyRarelyNeverOther
Access to a smartphone:

Own a smartphoneAccess to a family/friend's smartphoneNo smartphone accessOther
Access to Facebook:

YesNo
Experience with Video Conferencing:

FamiliarSomewhat FamiliarNot FamiliarOther
Knowledge of Microsoft Word:

HighModerateLowNoneOther
Knowledge of Excel:

HighModerateLowNoneOther
Confidence in starting a business:

HighModerateLowNoneOther
How did you hear about the Aleut Shareholder Marketplace program and when did you hear about it?*
Examples include: Email blast, social media post, radio ad, Spotify or podcast ad, Snapchat word of mouth.
By signing below, I hereby:

-Confirm that I am an Aleut Shareholder or Shareholder Descendant

-Certify that the information provided above is true, correct and complete as of the stated date

-Authorize Alaska Growth Capital and any affiliates to conduct an inquiry into my background, and credit history, including obtaining a credit report on me from a credit reporting agency

-Have read and agree to the Aleut Marketplace Official Contest Rules

-Certify that I will be able to attend and fully participate in the required Marketplace programming including the Business Boot Camp, which will be held over a one week period in October

-Understand that false information may result in forfeiture of benefits of the Aleut Shareholder Marketplace program
Thank you for filling out the ASM 2025 application! Please reach out if you have any questions.
Contact Madi Hanneman, mhanneman@alaskagrowth.com, 907-347-8338
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Aleut Marketplace

Business Overview

Applicant:

If Currently Employed:

Narrative Questions

Personal Assets & Details

Personal Liabilities

Access to Tech Tools