The Port Partners Initiative is underway at AVTEC every Tuesday and Thursday evening, drawing a small crowd of aspiring entrepreneurs. Greg Haas, the instructor behind the program, has built a demanding 10-week course that ends in late April with a “Shark Tank” style pitch competition. The winner walks away with a $20,000 grant from Royal Caribbean Group.

Haas brings a deep background in leadership and entrepreneurship. He’s been a maritime instructor at AVTEC since 2021, guiding students toward new careers. That same year, he launched Stoney Creek Brewhouse, a craft brewery that started in his garage and grew into a thriving local business.

The course is ambitious: ten modules with titles like “Launching Entrepreneurs” and “Entrepreneur Life,” and a reading list of 21 texts. In a recent session, Haas led a class of brief lectures followed by group work. The topics ranged from defining target markets and building business models to gaining traction and establishing a competitive edge.

Funding came up again and again.

“You need a track record,” Haas said. “Banks, or financiers, need reassurance of their investment; if not, they’ll take everything short of your kidneys as collateral.”

Haas recounted his own quest for funding, adding, “I had to prove to my wife, my most important investor, that I was worth putting the time and money into expanding.” 

Other discussions covered building systems for business plans and how to leverage outside money without losing control.

The energy in the room suggested the stakes were real, but fun. The breakout sessions were energetic and supportive. 

During one session, students pitched their idea to a partner in an impromptu performance. The following is a sampling of the 15 different ideas discussed: 

Taylor Wilson pitched a cleaning business that she plans to expand. “What am I doing with my life?” she asked. “I might as well keep cleaning. My main clientele is elders, doing chores around the house, spring, and deep cleaning. My plan, system-wise, is to move into commercial cleaning. In the summer, we also clean Airbnbs.” 

James Natale, with diving experience in Ukraine and other exotic locations, is starting Jarhead Diving, with a focus on salvage, public safety, and search and recovery diving.

Josiah Bonner of Summit Sips Coffee plans to expand into the climbing scene with a small-scale climbing wall.   

Kat Georgia is working on the Iceberg Inn, a helicopter-access-only set of luxury yurts at Bear Glacier Lagoon, 30 miles south of town. 

Emerson Cross’ has a plan to start Cross Auto Body and Mechanic Shop. “We have shops coming and going – need a reliable shop to get the cars and trucks worked on.”