Startup Accelerator

Alaska is the location to develop, test, and commercialize ocean technologies. We can help. 

Founded and incubated by the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association since 2017 with support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Startup Accelerator, formerly known as the Alaska Ocean Cluster is one of a dozen programs around the country advancing sustainable economic development in the Blue Economy. In 2022, management of the program was transferred to AFDF and it rebranded as the AFDF Startup Accelerator.

The Startup Accelerator takes a creative approach to supporting early-stage companies as they grow. We work one-on-one with each company to directly address their unique needs and plug them in to our globe-spanning network of early-stage founders, investors, philanthropists, and strategic partners. The work of the AFDF Startup Accelerator is guided by an Industry Advisory Committee in order to bring focus and synergy between its efforts and the priorities for technology, research and development in the Alaska seafood industry.

The program has supported more than 16 startups, facilitated multiple deployment projects, and grown our network. We have: 

• Tested salmon bycatch reduction technology in the Bering Sea aboard three pollock trawlers with SafetyNet Technologies, Denali Commission, and Coastal Villages Region Fund.

• Researched the availability of commercially valuable shellfish byproducts present in Alaska with Sandia National Laboratories.

• Supported development of an improved sea ice forecasting model with PolArctic LLC. and Alaska commercial fishermen.

• Worked with the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Alaska Fairbanks to improve the commercial crab offloading process.

• Developed and hosted a two-day event focused on technological innovation needs for U.S. commercial fishermen with Seafood Harvesters of America, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Schmidt Marine Technology Partner, among others.

• Presented at public forums including Pacific Marine Expo, ComFish, Alaska Bycatch Reduction Taskforce, Alaska Mariculture Conference, Arctic Encounter, and the Arctic Circle Assembly.

• Secured a resolution of support from the Alaska Legislature.

• Secured funding through 2024 from Builders Vision, an impact platform founded by Lukas and Samantha Walton.