2008 Competition Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an Innovative Idea Application or Idea Application? The Innovative Idea Application is a summary of your idea in the broader context of the competition's theme and criteria. Consider your expertise, your interests, your experience, and the resources available to you. You will be asked to fill out the Idea Application form (which can be downloaded from the Alaska Marketplace website). In addition to your contact information, the Idea Application form asks you to answer five questions based on the criteria (using 250 words or less for each answer) of the competition.

To help you conceptualize, think about answers to the following questions:

• The projects objective:
• The idea is innovative because...
• The idea promotes or utilizes Alaskan cultural-based know-how by...
• If you idea is a business, it will bring economic benefit (new jobs and/or new revenue) to the community by...
• How many new jobs does your idea have the potential of creating?
• The idea will be sustained beyond the award period by...

2. Can anyone submit an Idea Application? Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements.

3. What are the Eligibility requirements? They are as follows:

• All applicants must be a resident of Alaska
• All applicants must certify that there are no judgments against them that would require surrendering all or a portion of the award to a third party
• All ideas must be implemented in rural Alaska
• All ideas must be executed within 12 months

4. When are the Innovative Idea Applications due? Idea Applications must meet the eligibility criteria of the competition and must be submitted to the Alaska Marketplace no later than 4:30 p.m. AST on September 1, 2008.

5. How can I submit my Idea Application?

There are three ways to obtain and submit the Idea Application form :

• Web Access. You can complete the form on-line, save your work and return to the form to edit, add, delete or update your Idea Application at a later date. Once completed you will have the option to submit it officially to the competition. All applications are due by January 15 at 4:30pm AST.
  
  

  If you prefer to download the MS Word doc., click here. Completed Idea Applications using this format should be submitted as attachments and emailed to submissions@alaskamarketplace.org by January 15 no later than 4:30pm.

  *Please note: When working on your Idea Application please use the Times New Roman Font in 12 Pt.

  *Tip: You may also save the downloaded form to your computer's hard drive or disk and work directly on the application and when ready to submit, cut and paste the content from your MS Word Doc into the online application.

• Email Access. If you have an email account but cannot access the marketplace website to fill out the application online, a copy of the form can be emailed to you as a Word document. Simply email us a request for an Idea Application form at info@alaskamarketplace.org. When you are ready to submit the completed Idea Application, please email the complete form to submissions@alaskamarketplace.org no later that 4:30 on January 15.
• Fax or Mail. If an applicant does not have access to the internet, he or she can request a copy of the Idea Application form be mailed or faxed to them by contacting:

  Alaska Federation of Natives ATTN: Alaska Marketplace Business Idea Application 1577 C Street, Suite 300 Anchorage, AK 99501

  Telephone number: (907) 274-3611 Fax: (907) 276-7989 Website: www.alaskamarketplace.org

  *Completed Idea Applications using this format should be submitted mailed, faxed or sent to the address above.

  *Idea Applications must meet the eligibility criteria of the competition and can be submitted no later than 4:30 PM AST on January 15, 2009.

6. What is the competition's theme this year?

The theme for the 2008-09 Alaska Marketplace is Innovations for Thriving Communities. This theme is characterized by the following sub-themes in which all ideas will be classified:

• Affordable Energy: Innovative ways to implement affordable, renewable & alternative energy sources.
• Practical Use of New Technology: Practical use of new technology to create village enterprises, such as use of cell phones or digital media.
• Innovative Ideas to Reduce the Cost of Living: Such as cooperatives or various sharing arrangements that have very practical results and can be replicated in other communities and possibly scaled up.
• Investing In People: Innovative ideas to encourage life-long learning and enable people to thrive in a rapidly changing world, full of hope and optimism.
• Rural Housing of the Future: Incorporating energy efficiencies and new cost-effective designs in innovative ways which celebrate traditional cultures and promotes community pride.

7. Am I limited to only selecting one sub-theme for the competition? No, if your Business or Idea is relevant to more than one sub-theme, you can check the boxes of all that apply in your Idea Application.

8. Are there any age restrictions? No

9. Can Year 1 or Year 2 winners apply to the Year 3 of the Alaska Marketplace? No, previous years Award winners are not eligible.

10. I was a Year 1 or Year 2 Marketplace Finalist but I did not win can I submit another Innovative Idea Application again? Yes, you may resubmit your original Business Idea Application or submit an Idea Application for a new business or idea that meets the eligibility requirements, criteria, addresses the theme and at least one sub-theme.

11. Will my Idea Application be kept confidential? Yes, Alaska Marketplace will make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of your Idea Application in the initial stages. Idea Applications that are not selected as Finalists will be deleted from the central repository of submissions and all paper submissions will be shredded. Please note however, that if you are chosen as a finalist you will be asked to present it publicly and answer questions about it from all those who attend the Alaska Marketplace final event.

12. What is the process for evaluating the Idea Applications? The Idea Applications will initially be screened to ensure that all applicants meet the eligibility requirements. A team of Assessors will evaluate the Idea Applications that meet the requirements. Using the competition criteria the Assessors will select the finalists who will go on to compete at the Alaska Marketplace Innovation for a part of the award pool.

13. If I am selected as a Finalist what do I have to submit or do next? Finalists submitting an Idea Application under the Business Idea category will be asked to fill out a detailed Implementation Plan & Budget Form. Finalists applying under the Not-For-Profit Idea category will be asked to fill out a Proposal Form further explaining how the idea can be replicated and/or applied to other communities. In both cases these forms and instructions will be provided to you. Once Finalists are selected, you will be contacted and provided further instruction on what additional information is needed for the Competition Event.

14. Where and when will the Alaska Marketplace Innovation Competition be held? The event is slated to be held in Anchorage in May 2009.