UAA College of Business and Public Policy

Alaskan Data Solutions Develops New $500 Business Plan Competition Award

February 8, 2021

Jim Kostka has been a Business Plan Competition judge the last two years. As owner of the start-up Alaskan Data Solutions, he’s also shared his insights as a guest speaker in the College’s business classes in entrepreneurship.

Watching students progress from classroom to presenting a full business plan in the competition motivated Kostka to develop a new award for the Business Plan Competition. He brought the idea to his team at Alaskan Data Solutions, many of whom are UAA grads themselves.

“It was an easy sell,” said Kostka. “We believe that sponsoring and encouraging upcoming entrepreneurs meets our goal of being a positive influence on our community. With this new award, we can assist in the broadening diversification and growth of Alaska-born businesses.”

The Alaskan Data Solutions team brainstormed the name and criteria for the First Fortune $500 Award (FF$500).

“We know this will only be a start of the business awards and compensation that many, if not all, go on to achieve throughout their careers,” said Kostka. “Without a doubt, these students will be very successful in the business market, either working for corporate America or actually starting and running their own company. We are hopeful that other Alaska-based businesses will join us in contributing to this great program.”

“The support of businesses like Alaskan Data Solutions is critical to giving our students real-world insight and experience with what it takes to start and run a successful business” said Dr. Helena Wisniewski, designer of the Business Plan Competition and Chair of the College’s Department of Management, Marketing, Logistics and Business Analytics. “We are grateful for Jim’s motivation to lead the way with this first-ever FF$500 Award.”

The winning team, as judged by team members of Alaskan Data Solutions during the March 26, 2021 UAA Business Plan Competition, will receive $500 and a trophy. A second trophy will be placed in the UAA College of Business and Public Policy trophy case.

Criteria for the FF$500 Award are posted on the Business Plan Competition web page, along with a full rule book. The deadline for entering the competition, which now offers $11,000 in cash prizes, is February 8, 2021.

About Alaskan Data Solutions

Alaskan Data Solutions, formerly known as Motznik, provides marketing solutions for Alaskan companies, connecting business with data critical to their customers’ needs. Launched by Kostka in 2018, its popular Ingens.com website provides quick and affordable, anytime access to Alaska’s public records such as DMV, voter registration, and property.