Happy Boating Adventures to Ky Holland

June 1, 2020

Like so many others, his travel plans had to be put aside. However,  he still plans to wrap up the last six years of startup community building in Alaska, including the last two years working at OIPC helping with disclosures, startup funding and university startup launches. After a couple months of long-deferred home projects, staycation camping around the state, and time at his family’s cabin on Trapper Lake, Ky will be resuming his travels and probably starting something new in Alaska. But no one, not even Ky, knows yet what that something will be!For three years Ky Holland has been planning a dory float trip down the Green and Colorado rivers that would have taken place this June. That planning included wrapping up his work at UAF in May to spend the entire summer traveling, floating and hiking in the American West.

As Ky was clearing out his virtual office, he said, “I’ve loved working at UAF and the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship the OIPC and Center ICE staff and program have been supporting, including allowing me to experiment with new programs like the UA Community Challenge and UA Community Consulting programs. They have been engaged with the faculty, staff and students and encouraged increased statewide UA and community collaborations that will benefit our state and its future economy.”

When we asked him to point to a highlight, he said the choice was easy. “Watching Bahareh and her company Barati Medical go from an early-stage research project two years ago to an investable company that reached the finals in the AK Angel Conference and win the People’s Choice award!”

We will miss Ky’s stalwart presence and his wonderful encouraging words during our meetings and events.  Good luck, Ky! We hope the river is amazing and that you’ll share at least a few photos with us!