Mission: Deploy capital, SUPPORT ecosystem, HELP startups

As Alaska’s entrepreneurship fund, the 49th State Angel Fund’s mission is to:

  1. Provide an evergreen source of capital to high-growth businesses to promote entrepreneurship and foster innovation, creating jobs and economic benefit for Anchorage.

  2. Strengthen Alaska's risk capital and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

  3. Assist early stage and disadvantaged businesses.

49SAF was capitalized by a $13.7 million federal allocation from the United States Treasury under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. The Anchorage Angel Evergreen Fund was created in 2016 through MOA Ordinance No. 2016-148 for moneys received as a return of principal or return on investment made by 49SAF.

Stephen Trimble

director

Stephen Trimble serves as Director of the 49th State Angel Fund, bringing extensive experience in entrepreneurship, business development, strategic leadership, and economic development.

Prior to becoming Director, Stephen founded and led Arctic Solar Ventures, an award-winning Alaska renewable energy company recognized nationally for its growth and innovation. Under his leadership, the company earned six consecutive Top Solar Contractor recognitions from Solar Power World and became one of Alaska’s first certified B Corporations.

Stephen previously served for a decade on the 49th State Angel Fund Advisory Board, including as Chair, providing institutional knowledge and a longstanding commitment to strengthening Alaska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

His broader leadership experience includes service on the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission, the Alaska Energy Authority’s Emerging Energy Technology Fund Advisory Board, and advisory boards at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.

He is committed to expanding access to capital, supporting innovative Alaska businesses, and building a more resilient and diversified state economy.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

49SAF enjoys the advice of a Mayor-appointed Advisory Committee consisting of Anchorage leaders that are entrepreneurs, investors, business professionals, and economic developers. This C-Suite group meets monthly, supports 49SAF in engaging with the public, and is key to our strategic initiatives. They also make a variety of recommendations on our programs.

Meetings are open to the public and are announced on this webpage. You can view past meeting minutes here.

As of October 2026, our Advisory Committee members are:

““The Fund has helped to further shape the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Alaska. While still emerging, we now have a far more robust startup ecosystem that is advancing talent, innovation and holds potential for diversifying our economy.””
— Christi Bell, Executive Director, University of Alaska Business Enterprise Institute and former 49SAF Advisory Committee member

THANK YOU:

49SAF is grateful for the broad support we’ve had since our founding in 2012, including but not limited to: Mayors Suzanne LaFrance, Dave Bronson, Ethan Berkowitz, Dan Sullivan, and Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson; Co-Founders Allan Johnston and Lucinda Mahoney; Former Advisors Dale Tran, Dr. David Maguire, and Amy Fredeen (all three in memoriam); Former Advisors Cortney Kitchen, Tom McGrath, Rick Nerland, Yaso Thiru, Mead Treadwell, Bill Popp, Christi Bell, Kevin Croy, Lydia Griffey, Dan Newman, Matt Thrope, Jason Warfield, Steve Zelener, Sarah Sandbak, and Melissa Moody; MOA CFOs Philippe Brice, Alden Thern, Grant Yutrzenka, Travis Frisk, Alex Slivka, Kate Giard, and Robert Harris; and former Directors Melanie Lucas-Conwell, Erin Baca, and Joe Morrison. Thanks also to all MOA staff who have helped occasionally manage SAF, including Ross Risvold, Chris Richardson, and Anna Guettabi.