Through the TREND Phase 0 Program at the Alaska Small Business Development Center (Alaska SBDC) in partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), $10,000 grants are awarded to innovators and companies in the early stages of deploying technologies with a strong technical basis and competitive edge. This year’s TREND SBIR Phase 0 pool of applications was among the strongest and most competitive ever.
The TREND Program at the Alaska SBDC and UAF’s EPSCoR is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Phase 0 Awards. Please join us in applauding the companies listed below for their commitment to Alaska’s economic diversification and revival.
MustRs LLC (Fairbanks, AK)
Founded in 2021, MustRs LLC is an innovative robotics firm based in Alaska with a mission to empower caregivers and improve the lives of care recipients. The core focus of the company is the development and commercialization of robots for senior and disabled care. MustRs LLC targets the two problems in building and using service robots—safety and cost – through the incorporation of an anchorable robot that can perform multiple functions to support caregivers and recipients.
MacKinnon Marine Technologies (MMT) (Anchorage, AK)
MacKinnon Marine Technologies (MMT) established in 2011 is an Anchorage-based company that builds “AlumaPro” watercraft, consistently considered best-in-class for Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, and special operations getting them where they need to go and home safely. The AlumaPro operates in diverse environments from Marinas (fire suppression, dewatering, vessel escort), swift and shallow water (rescue, enforcement, commercial), and floodwaters (hidden debris, and strong currents).
Alaska TREND 0 funds will allow MMT to prepare a proposal for the US Navy, in order to make AlumaPro the first unmanned service watercraft of its kind. MMT is integrating emerging technologies into its operating systems with the help of other companies’ systems to offer an unmanned craft with proven AlumaPro capabilities.
PKS Consulting, Inc. (Anchorage, AK)
PKS Consulting Inc. is an Alaskan small business that specializes in the development of new companies that support the growth and diversity of Alaska’s economy. PKS Consulting Inc. recently received a Phase I SBIR from the EPA for the design of a mobile plastic ocean waste recycling solution. The goal of this project is to convert plastic collected from beach cleanups into recycled plastic lumber. The lumber will be produced and sold locally, providing both local jobs and a local product that is in high demand — construction materials.
GRAYSTAR Pacific Seafood, Ltd (Anchorage, AK)
GRAYSTAR Pacific Seafood Ltd is an Alaska corporation, launched in 1985 by Stephen Grabacki. Steve is a Certified Fisheries Professional, with a Master of Science in Fisheries Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. GRAYSTAR develops Alaska’s ocean resources to improve human health and life.
Please join the TREND Program and UAF’s EPSCoR Program in congratulating the 2021 Phase 0 awardees and learn more at aksbdc.org/about/programs/trend/.