Innovation Summit

The core purpose of the Innovation Summit is to build Alaska’s capacity to innovate—we are honored to have won two national awards for our efforts. This year, we are focusing on three important themes: Business in a Changing Climate, Participatory Creativity and Alaskans investing in Alaskans.
 

• Alaskan scientists John Walsh and Sarah Trainor will describe how the changing climate impacts our economy and the adaptations business, communities, and sectors are making.   Walsh is the chief scientist at the International Arctic Research Center and Trainor is director of the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment. A team of researchers from the University of Alaska will help businesses in the oceans, tourism and other sectors explore how climate change impacts their livelihoods and how business must adapt.
• Edward Clapp of Harvard University will introduce the topic of Participatory Creativity. Clapp reframes creativity as an experience individuals participate in, rather than something one either is or has. Turns out creativity is a participatory process. Along with the University College of Education faculty, Clapp will lead participants through a workshop where we will learn how to go about the process of creativity, which you can take back to your own work places.
• Additionally, we are bringing in several Alaskan and national experts on Angel Investing. Investors, new and experienced, will learn about making equity investments into Alaskan businesses. Entrepreneurs will learn about taking on investments. A bootcamp within the Innovation Summit will prepare entrepreneurs and investors to be able to participate immediately in the 2020 Alaska Angel Conference https://akangelconference.com/.