, the multi-phase education and investment program designed to help grow University of Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs and startups, has selected four companies for the program鈥檚 sixth cohort. More than 100 companies applied across multiple 糖心Vlog官方 campuses.

The teams are eligible for up to $75,000 in seed capital, plus an additional $100,000 in follow-on funding, for a total XLR8糖心Vlog官方-driven investment of $175,000.

“As we continue to build out a complete innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem for the entire 糖心Vlog官方 System, we are pleased to see a high number of strong applicants competing for the few seats in this round,” said David Ai, chief innovation officer and director of the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Innovation and Commercialization. “It is a clear sign that 糖心Vlog官方 has a robust entrepreneurial culture in place, which motivates us to continue to offer more services to give our startups their best chance at success.”

Cohort 6

• Olga Bori膰-Lubecke, Victor Lubecke
• Adnoviv makes intelligent occupancy sensors that save energy without compromise

• Reza Ghorbani, Nour Lababidi
• Helps care-providers and physicians remotely monitor and examine their patients via secure web-based portals and web-integrated wireless devices

• Alberto Gonzalez Martinez, Dylan Kobayashi, Ryan Theriot
• A collaboration platform providing real-time team workspaces in the cloud

• Tom Knapp-Ramos
• Gift wrap for digital gifting

Over four months, the teams will receive company mentors, weekly workshops, office hours, presentations and lectures conducted by notable experts specializing in business, technology and startups. The program culminates in a public showcase where teams present in front of an audience of investors, partners and community stakeholders.

Recognized in 2017 by Forbes as one of the top 30 accelerator programs in the United States, XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is a public-private partnership between 糖心Vlog官方 and .

“The excellent companies in this year鈥檚 cohort are sure to contribute to the program鈥檚 ongoing national recognition,” said Omar Sultan, founder and managing director, XLR8糖心Vlog官方.

The National Science Foundation has awarded University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 researchers a $750,000 grant to develop a low-cost sensor capable of detecting human presence and monitoring occupants for energy-savings and smart-building applications. The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II grant was awarded to 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 in partnership with .

, professor of electrical engineering in the and a co-principal investigator on the grant, co-founded Adnoviv in 2013 with electrical engineering Professor . The company focuses on research-driven technology, developing innovative sensors and systems for industrial, medical and security applications, including its centerpiece product, True Presence Occupancy Detection Sensors (TruePODS). Adnoviv is a Phase I graduate of the and has already hired four 糖心Vlog官方 graduates.

The technology that Adnoviv is commercializing is based on Doppler radar physiological monitoring research pioneered by Boric虂-Lubecke and Lubecke.

“Adnoviv has served not only to move 糖心Vlog官方 technology out of the lab and toward the market, but also to provide job opportunities for our graduates in Hawaiʻi, and inspire some of our students to successfully pursue their own start-ups,” said Boric虂-Lubecke. “While commercialization has not been an easy path, it has been a rewarding experience to witness our students growing into entrepreneurs and the University of Hawaiʻi developing means to support such endeavors.”

During Phase I of the STTR, the 糖心Vlog官方/Adnoviv team carried out TruePODS testing in the Flexible Response to Ongoing Growth classrooms on the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 campus, in collaboration with from the . The test results demonstrated superior performance for TruePODS compared to commercially available occupancy sensors, eliminating false triggering. Phase II will include research and development of advanced system architectures and algorithms for occupant count.

The duration of the new National Science Foundation grant is two years.

.

The University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 award-winning startup accelerator, , was named one of only 20 national winners of the . This marks the third year in a row that the University of Hawaiʻi accelerator has won the competition, which includes a $50,000 cash award.

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 was the only winner from Hawaiʻi in this year鈥檚 SBA鈥檚 Growth Accelerator Fund competition, which is designed to draw attention and funding to parts of the country with gaps in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Winners were selected by experts in entrepreneurship, investing and business plans from both inside and out of the federal government and based on applications and pitch videos submitted by the finalists.

“We are pleased to have our XLR8糖心Vlog官方 program take home this prestigious SBA national award once again,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Vice President for Research and Innovation . “It further validates our continuing efforts under the to diversify the state鈥檚 economy by creating a third economic leg based on the commercialization of 糖心Vlog官方 research.”

Building on XLR8糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 national recognition

This award builds upon the national recognition garnered by XLR8糖心Vlog官方 in 2017, which also includes being named one of the top 30 accelerators in the country by Forbes. XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is one of the first public university investment programs in the nation, revolutionizing the way innovation and research is commercialized.

“We are honored, once again, to have won this award and be counted among the top accelerator programs in the country,” said Omar Sultan, co-founder and managing partner of XLR8糖心Vlog官方 and . “The SBA鈥檚 recognition over the past three years has helped shine a national spotlight on the strong and growing entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Hawaiʻi and on the innovations generated by 糖心Vlog官方 research.

In accepting the SBA award, the winning accelerators will be committing to bi-annual reporting of metrics on jobs created, funds raised, startups launched, corporate sponsors obtained and more. These metrics will allow the SBA to better understand accelerators and their impact, and to develop long-term relationships with the startups and constituents in these innovative and entrepreneurial communities.

Launched in 2014 as a public-private partnership between 糖心Vlog官方 and Sultan Ventures, XLR8糖心Vlog官方 has mentored and trained five cohorts consisting of 24 companies. In total, these companies have created more than 100 jobs and generated over $5 million in revenue, nearly all of which remains in Hawaiʻi.

“With only 20 awards available this year, the two tiered selection process made the competition even more difficult,” said Jane Sawyer, director of the SBA鈥檚 Hawaiʻi District Office. “Our team is extremely pleased that XLR8糖心Vlog官方 once again was recognized as one of the nation鈥檚 top accelerators.”

President made his report to the at their meeting on October 19, 2017.

Highlights include:

• First high school student set to earn associate degree ()
• 糖心Vlog官方 plays role in national STEM initiative ()
• Building STEM pathways ()
• STEM enrollment steady at community colleges ()
• 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center submits proposal to renew designation ()
• XLR8糖心Vlog官方 team accepted to premier international program ()
• Dunkin’ Donuts opens ()

View previous reports to the board.

University of Hawaiʻi spinouts Adnoviv, LLC; Radial3D and SNR Analytics, Inc. (SNRAI) were invited to present at the prestigious showcase of university technologies held on June 28, 2017 at California State University, Los Angeles.

Presentations were made to an invitation-only audience of over 200 investors, entrepreneurs, and faculty and staff from the participating universities. The University Hawaiʻi spinouts were invited to participate in the showcase by the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Technology Transfer, Arizona State University Technology Transfer and the Los Angeles Venture Association.

Adnoviv

Adnoviv’s intelligent occupancy sensors were developed by and of the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 . The company’s True Presence Occupancy Detection Sensors are the first to employ Doppler radar “life-signs” sensing technology to detect true human presence in indoor spaces to avoid the cost and nuisance associated with erroneous power switching.

Radial3D

Radial3D, developed by a team led by Scott Lozanoff of the , is a collaborative platform that allows medical students and healthcare professionals to work together to view medical imagery and share their diagnosis. It is a 3D web-based medical imaging platform that is accessible from any web-connected device and any VR/AR device.

SNRAI

SNRAI is a technology company focused on the discovery and validation of molecular signatures for precision immunotherapy applications. Developed by and his colleagues at the , SNRAI is an analytical pipeline that seeks to develop a portfolio that will provide “companion” diagnostics for existing antibodies that target specific checkpoint genes in a given cancer, or suggest cancers for which an antibody targeting a specific checkpoint gene should be developed.

Both Adnoviv and Radial 3D are graduates of XLR8糖心Vlog官方, the University of Hawaiʻi’s multiple award-winning proof of concept center and venture accelerator program.

“I’m pleased that we were invited to First Look LA for a third consecutive year,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Vice President for Research and Innovation .聽“It further validates our continuing efforts under the Hawaiʻi Innovation Initiative to help diversify the state’s economy through the creation of a thriving innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem based on 糖心Vlog官方 research.”

More about First Look LA

First Look LA is a full-day showcase of emerging technology investment opportunities from premier research institutions in Southern California and Arizona, including Caltech, USC, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, Children’s Hospital LA, City of Hope, and Arizona State University.

, a public-private partnership between the and created to educate, mentor and invest in 糖心Vlog官方 startups and entrepreneurs, has been named a top 30 U.S. accelerator in the 2017 Seed Accelerator Rankings, a part of the (SARP).

The XLR8糖心Vlog官方 program is a four-month startup accelerator that works with 糖心Vlog官方-affiliated entrepreneurial teams to offer office hours, weekly workshops, presentations and lectures conducted by noted business, technology and startup experts. Teams are eligible for up to $75,000 in seed capital, plus an additional $100,000 in follow-on funding, for a total XLR8糖心Vlog官方-driven investment of $175,000.  Each session culminates in a formal, highly competitive showcase day where teams present to a panel of investors, partners and executives.

“We are extremely pleased with the success of XLR8糖心Vlog官方 and this ranking underscores the growing belief in Hawaiʻi as a source of high-potential startup opportunities,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner.  “In the same vein, it further validates our efforts in the Hawaiʻi Innovation Initiative to help diversify the state鈥檚 economy and create more high-quality, living-wage jobs.”

Over the past three years, XLR8糖心Vlog官方 has mentored, educated and inspired more than 40 startup ventures with 24 matriculating out of the program. These 24 companies have generated, in total, more than $5 million in revenue, and have raised more than $30 million in funding.

“It鈥檚 an honor to be recognized alongside other pioneering accelerator programs, most of which are located in traditional startup hotspots,” said Omar Sultan, managing partner at both XLR8糖心Vlog官方 and Sultan Ventures. “Being named a top 30 accelerator in the country—which puts us in the same company as the well-known programs of Y Combinator, Techstars, 500 Startups and Mucker Lab—is a reflection of the caliber of the University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 talent and innovation.”

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 was 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 only accelerator program to make the SARP鈥檚 2017 list of top accelerators.

More about the SARP rankings

The Seed Accelerator Rankings Project is headed by three former entrepreneurs who are now leading academic experts on accelerators. The researchers are Yael Hochberg, an entrepreneurship professor at Rice University鈥檚 Jones Graduate School of Business; Susan Cohen, an assistant professor of management at University of Richmond's Robins School of Business; and Dan Fehder, a postdoctoral scholar at Rice University and a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

To be invited to participate in the SARP rankings, accelerator programs had to be fixed-term, cohort-based startup "boot-camps" that include educational and mentorship components and culminate in a public pitch or demo day. Invitees also had to have graduated at least one cohort and have more than 10 startup graduates.

The University of Hawaiʻi announced that two of its accelerator programs, and the 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College (MFIC) at 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College, were recipients of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2016 Growth Accelerator Competition awards. This marks the second straight year that both programs received the prestigious award and a $50,000 cash prize.

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 and MFIC are two of the 85 winners selected across 37 states and the District of Columbia who will collectively receive a total of $4.25 million to boost the economic impact of accelerators. The purpose of the SBA’s annual competition is to draw attention and funding to parts of the country where there are gaps in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including those not readily supported by the private sector.

“We are again pleased that XLR8糖心Vlog官方 and MFIC were recognized nationally by the SBA,鈥� said 糖心Vlog官方 Vice President for Research and Innovation . “As we continue to build our innovation ecosystem through the aggressive commercialization of our research, this award is a validation of our efforts to help diversify the state’s economy.”

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is one of the first public university investment programs in the nation, revolutionizing the way innovation and research is commercialized. To date, 19 companies have been developed through the program, generating more than $1 million in revenue and $8 million funding.

“It is a huge honor for us to be among the 2016 top accelerators. Winning a second time in a row speaks to the strength of Startup Paradise and the commitment to Hawaiʻi’s entrepreneurs,” said Tarik Sultan, co-founder and managing partner of XLR8糖心Vlog官方 and .

“There is a great camaraderie in Hawaiʻi among the entrepreneurial community and what we’re all working to achieve. The $200,000 coming into our State from SBA will support the continued growth of our startup community and accelerators holistically,” Sultan added.

Incubator for future food industry leaders

Through its Maui Food Industry X-Celerator Program, MFIC provides an incubator program to support businesses in the form of training, community resources and access to a certified commercial kitchen at 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College. To date, the program has received 47 applications and graduated 24 businesses in two cohorts—of which 90 percent are women entrepreneurs.

“We are thrilled to receive SBA national recognition and continued validation of 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College and our Maui Food Innovation Center programs for a second consecutive year,” said Chris Speere, site coordinator for the Maui Food Innovation Center. “The funding award speaks to the effort of our graduates, business, government, food industry leaders and community partners that help us build a successful and winning program.”

As competition winners, both XLR8糖心Vlog官方 and MFIC will report metrics such as jobs created, funds raised and startups launched. This will allow SBA to continue building upon its database of accelerators and their impact and to develop long-term relationships with the startups and constituents in these innovative and entrepreneurial communities.

“The creation of great, living wage jobs in Hawaiʻi through the establishment of a vibrant innovation sector is the goal of the ,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President . “National recognition like this illustrates the validity of our programs and the direction of our efforts to create at $1 billion innovation, research, education and training enterprise here in the islands.鈥�

In the official announcement, SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet said: ”SBA created the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition in 2014 as a way to make new connections and strengthen existing bonds within America’s small business support network, bringing entrepreneurs and innovators together and connecting them with local and national resources that support small business job creation and growth. These awards deliver on a longstanding commitment at SBA to strengthen and modernize these support systems especially in parts of the country where access to capital has been a major barrier to starting a business. This year’s winners show that our efforts are bearing fruit and further cementing our nation’s most pioneering accelerators, incubators and innovation hubs as major players driving America’s technology startup ecosystem.”

The announced the selection of eight teams for the fifth cohort of its accelerator startup investment program—. The startups in this round include digital technology providing athletes and physicians ways to identify, measure and monitor sports concussions; a lifesaving blood analysis smartphone platform; and a data collection and project management platform for conservation and agriculture customers.

The eight teams have the potential to receive $25,000 to $50,000 for completing the program and up to $100,000 in follow-up funding.

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 cohort 5 finalists

• Smart Yields, a farm data analytics platform designed to enhance yields by providing critical crop protection alerts and real-time monitoring to enhance yields.
• HealthTech Apps, a mobile technology platform that provides athletes and physicians ways to identify, measure and monitor sports concussions reducing the risk of re-injury.
• OiOiOT, provides smart and IOT solutions on connected community projects through a patented secure bi-directional communication method.
• Herbavore, a horticultural hand tool company for professional and hobbyist growers that offers customizable, ergonomic and more efficient products.
• Radial3D, a web and mobile store app that facilitates shared viewing of medical images by clinicians and their patients within a Mixed Reality environment.
• iFirst Medical Technologies, a lifesaving blood analysis and management smartphone platform.
• Natural Resource Data Solutions, a platform for data collection and project management for conservation and agriculture customers saving time and money.
• Azimov Technologies, guidance and control technology for unmanned aircraft systems.

The teams are currently in the first phase of XLR8糖心Vlog官方’s intensive 16-week mentorship and investment program, where they will be assessing and developing their business models. Startups selected to advance to the second phase will further their business development, and in the third phase will develop and practice their pitch to investors. Experienced entrepreneurs and investors will mentor the teams throughout the program.

“As a sector agnostic program, we receive a variety of applications from multiple sectors and disciplines, which is a testament to the amount of innovation occurring out of the University of Hawaiʻi. With this cohort we are seeing more emphasis on medical technologies, as well as applications for the agricultural industry,” said Omar Sultan, managing director of XLR8糖心Vlog官方. “We’re excited to see more innovation in sectors representing some of Hawaiʻi’s strengths.”

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is a first-of-its-kind startup investment program developed by 糖心Vlog官方 and , a boutique venture firm that also manages the program. XLR8糖心Vlog官方 educates, mentors and invests in 糖心Vlog官方 research and talent, ranging from students to post docs, faculty and alumni. It is one of the first public university investment programs in the nation, revolutionizing the way innovation and research is commercialized.

“Once again, we are excited to see the diversity of issues that are being addressed by the XLR8糖心Vlog官方 teams though 糖心Vlog官方-based research,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Vice President for Research and Innovation . “These innovative ideas and their potential to develop into dynamic, locally based companies is what the Hawaiʻi Innovation Initiative is all about.”

, the University of Hawaiʻi’s nationally recognized accelerator program, is accepting applications for its 5th cohort taking place in fall 2016. The deadline for applications is October 7. The program provides industry mentorship to faculty, staff, students and alumni to validate their business ideas and bring them to market.

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 will prepare participants with:

• mentorship from an experienced team
• access to industry experts and investors
• investor led bootcamps and pitch practices
• help on financial models for their business
• intellectual property strategy guidance

Phase I companies (idea stage/proof-of-concept) can apply for up to a $25,000 investment.

Phase II companies (commercialization/growth) can apply for up to a $50,000 investment.

All companies are eligible for up to $100,000 in follow on investment.

or email aloha@xlr8uh.com for more information.

Join the 50+ other entrepreneurs that have graduated from the award winning startup investment program. Many have gone on to raise millions of dollars in funding and investment for their business.

Who we are:

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is the accelerator program. We provide industry expertise and mentorship, working with faculty, students, staff and alumni of the 糖心Vlog官方 system to validate their business idea and bring it to market.

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 will prepare you with:

• Mentorship from an experienced team
• Access to industry experts and investors
• Investor led bootcamps + pitch practices
• Financial modeling for your business
• Intellectual Property strategy guidance
• And much more!

Phase I companies (idea stage/proof-of-concept) apply for up to a $25,000 investment.

Phase II companies (commercialization/growth) apply for up to a $50,000 investment.

All companies are eligible for up to $100,000 in follow on investment.

How to apply

Apply at by October 5 to be considered for our fall cohort. We are always reviewing applications and admit on a rolling basis. The earlier you apply, the better your chances.

Information sessions: Want to know more?

Take the first step in learning more about XLR8糖心Vlog官方 at one of our information sessions. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP below.

• Thursday, September 1, 4:30–6 p.m. at iLab 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Campus
  
• Wednesday, September 14, 4:30–7 p.m. at XLR8糖心Vlog官方 HQ (Downtown)
  

Ask us about our award winning program. Email us at info@XLR8糖心Vlog官方.com.

The University of Hawaiʻi’s nationally recognized venture accelerator program XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is accepting applications for its 5th cohort taking place in fall 2016. Applications are open to all students, faculty, staff and alumni of the 10 campus University of Hawaiʻi System.

The University of Hawaiʻi’s budding innovation and entrepreneurial programs were featured in an innovation showcase and roundtable discussion co-hosted by Senator Mazie K. Hirono. The event held on the campus brought together top business, education and government leaders to highlight entrepreneurial efforts in Hawaiʻi as well as discuss how federal resources can fuel the growth of small business and spark innovation. The featured programs and presenters were from 糖心Vlog官方’s proof of concept center/venture accelerator, , , the (innovation lab) and 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College’s .

“This event served as a tremendous opportunity to share with a cross-section of local businesses and stakeholders, along with federal agencies and Senator Hirono, what we’re doing in Hawaiʻi to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner. “Today’s program showcased people who are establishing support programs and a strong representation of local entrepreneurs who are launching businesses and creating jobs, which is exactly why we’re here.”

“Innovation is vital to diversifying HHawaiʻi’s economy, and today’s event connected small business owners and entrepreneurs with the resources that can help them succeed,” said Senator Hirono. “But in order to maintain this momentum, we must continue to work with partners like the University of Hawaiʻi, and state and federal government agencies, to back initiatives that support entrepreneurship and job creation in our state.”

One of the projects showcased by the university at the event was XLR8糖心Vlog官方, a first of its kind proof of concept center/venture accelerator developed by the 糖心Vlog官方 and , a boutique venture firm that manages it. The proof of concept center educates, mentors and invests in university research and talent, ranging from students to postdocs, faculty and alumni. It is one of the first public university investment programs in the nation, revolutionizing the way innovation and research is commercialized.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News—

“Today’s 糖心Vlog官方 Innovation Showcase is key for highlighting the accomplishments and progress we’ve made in a short period of time, as well as offering insight on the direction we aim to go in in the future,” said Omar Sultan, Managing Partner of XLR8糖心Vlog官方. “Commercialization and innovation within the University of Hawaiʻi are important because they help support economic development as we train students to think entrepreneurially before entering the workforce, and help faculty spin out their scientific research to create startups and small businesses.”

The University of Hawaiʻi selected 12 teams as finalists for the fourth cohort of its startup venture accelerator. The pioneering enterprises in this round include: paddleboards for the disabled, organic cookies using locally sourced ingredients, an app for concussion patients and an online platform for students to search for scholarships. These teams have the potential to receive $25,000 to $50,000 for completing the program and up to $100,000 in follow-on funding. XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is a partnership between 糖心Vlog官方 and , which provides their startup investment expertise to the program.

“XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is integral for the continued growth and development of our entrepreneurial community,” said Vassilis L. Syrmos, 糖心Vlog官方 vice president for research and innovation. “This program, a key component of the , supports some of the most forward-thinking, globally relevant, yet locally resonant companies in Hawaiʻi.”

The teams are currently in the first phase of XLR8糖心Vlog官方’s intensive 15-week mentorship and investment program, where they will be assessing and developing their business models. Teams selected to advance to the second phase will immerse themselves into further business development efforts and in the third phase they will develop and practice their pitch to investors. Throughout the entire program, the teams will have access to valuable mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors.

“With this cohort we are complementing our focus on tech-based startups with more product-based companies than in previous sessions,” said Meli James, program director of XLR8糖心Vlog官方. “We feel these are potential high-growth opportunities leveraging Hawaiʻi’s brand equity.”

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 Cohort 4

• , end-to-end development platform that allows users to create, share, and rapidly deploy algorithms.
• , a new and innovative twist on eco-friendly, sustainable chopsticks.
• , The World’s Event Guide allowing users to discover and promote events, anywhere in real time.
• , apps to help athletes, doctors and parents identify concussions and enhance recovery programs.
• , ed-tech solution connecting language learners from foreign countries to native English speakers.
• , the most advanced and cost effective Prospective Motion Correction technology in the healthcare industry.
• KMB Co, patent-pending paddleboards that provide disabled persons the athletic and therapeutic experience of water sports.
• , specialty crafted gourmet cookies made on Maui, with locally sourced, organic ingredients.
• , wearable pressure and temperature-sensing device decreasing instances of pressure ulcers for paraplegics.
• PresentUS, digital booking platform connecting talent and entertainers directly with their clients.
• , online platform for students to discover and apply for multiple scholarships through one simple application.
• SNR Analytics, patented big data analytics that generate biomarker signatures for ovarian and liver cancer.

Entrepreneurs see the world differently. They question the status quo and look at the world, wondering what it could be, rather than accept how it is. Turn curiosity into a company with help from , the accelerator program.

The nationally-recognized venture accelerator program is accepting applications for its 4th cohort taking place in summer 2016.

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 will prepare entrepreneurs with:

• Mentorship from an experienced team
• Access to industry experts and investors
• Investor led bootcamps and pitch practices
• Financial models for businesses
• Intellectual property strategy guidance
• And much more!

Phase I companies (idea stage/proof-of-concept) can apply for up to a $25,000 investment. Phase II companies (commercialization/growth) can apply for up to a $50,000 investment. All companies are eligible for up to $100,000 in follow on investment.

Apply at by Sunday, May 1 to be considered for the summer cohort. Applications are open to all students, faculty, staff and alumni of the 10 campus University of Hawaiʻi System.

For more information, contact XLR8糖心Vlog官方 via email.

The (糖心Vlog官方CC) system announced that it is working with Impact Hub Honolulu to create and grow an entrepreneurship program to engage enterprising students (and eventually faculty and staff) across 糖心Vlog官方’s seven-campus community college system. The program is being funded with $100,000 from a $10-million to the 糖心Vlog官方CCs from the .

“This grant will help provide a direct portal to real-world start-up activities, as well as business planning, budgeting, patenting and more,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Community Colleges Associate Vice President Peter Quigley. “Bringing products and businesses into existence is the goal of the entrepreneurial initiative.”

Impact Hub Honolulu is part of the local startup ecosystem, Startup Paradise, as well as a global network of 85 Impact Hubs and 16,000 connected entrepreneurs. These partnerships with Hawaiʻi-based and global networks will be leveraged to connect 糖心Vlog官方CC entrepreneurs to mentorship, follow-on programs, incubators, accelerators and scaling opportunities. The six-week 糖心Vlog官方CC entrepreneurial program will host its first cohort July 11-August 12, 2016.

“We see this as an incredible opportunity to create a path for the innovative students across the 糖心Vlog官方CCs to actualize their ideas, create jobs for themselves and others and diversify economic development for Hawaiʻi,” added Shanah Trevenna, director of Impact Hub Honolulu.

The partners are asking any faculty, students, staff or community members who would like to contribute ideas, suggest a collaboration, participate as an advisor or mentor, or join the program to please email Shanah Trevenna or George Yarbrough.

Entrepreneurship roundtables at 糖心Vlog官方CC campuses

Impact Hub Honolulu will also be conducting roundtable discussions to be held at each of 糖心Vlog官方’s community college campuses and 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo. , 糖心Vlog官方’s accelerator program to educate, mentor and invest in the University of Hawaiʻi’s research and talent, will also participate in these roundtables.

Roundtable dates

• April 4, 12–1 p.m., , Wong Conference Room in the Hookipa Building
• April 6, 12–1 p.m., , Ilima 202A
• April 6, 2–3 p.m., , Akoakoa 107/109
• April 7, 12–1 p.m., , Cafeteria
• April 8, 12–1 p.m., , Administrative Building, Chancellor’s Conference Room
• April 11, 12–1 p.m., , Kaneikeao Building 379
• April 11, 12:30–1 p.m., , Administrative Conference Room, D-183.
• April 11, 3–4 p.m., Hawaiʻi Community College, Kaneikeao Building 379
• April 12, 12–1 p.m., , GT-105
• April 18, 12–1 p.m., , OCET 106

—By Kelli Trifonovitch

The University of Hawaiʻi’s nationally recognized venture accelerator program is accepting applications for its 4th cohort taking place in summer 2016. Applications are open to all students, faculty, staff and alumni of the 10 campus University of Hawaiʻi System.

On Campus Information Sessions

Downtown Information Session

The award-winning program provides two funding tracks depending upon the maturity of the idea, startup or innovation.

• Phase I: Proof-of-Concept
  Startups are focused on developing their proof of concept, i.e. taking concept and/or intellectual property, identifying the greatest market potential, converting that into a minimum viable product and working towards “product-market fit.”
• Phase II: Commercialization
  Startups are more focused on commercialization, i.e. taking their minimum viable product to market, completing beta testing and refining other aspects of the business with the goal of getting ready to raise funds from outside investors.

In just over a year, XLR8糖心Vlog官方 has graduated 15 companies from its program that have raised millions in capital and generated hundreds of thousands in revenue.

Submit your application or get more information about XLR8糖心Vlog官方 and upcoming info sessions at .

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 : Turning research into viable products and businesses

The University of Hawaiʻi’s proof of concept center/venture accelerator was recently awarded a $500,000 grant from the to expand its successful commercialization efforts statewide, including underserved rural communities on the neighbor islands.

“We are pleased that the EDA recognized the value and promise of our XLR8糖心Vlog官方 program,” said Vassilis L. Syrmos, 糖心Vlog官方 vice president for research and innovation. “The University of Hawaiʻi will be matching the EDA award to amplify even more of XLR8糖心Vlog官方’s reach in extending our research innovation and commercialization efforts across the state.”

The grant is part of the EDA’s 2015 Regional Innovation Strategies Program, a cutting-edge federal program that supports initiatives to spur innovation commercialization, entrepreneurship and job creation at the local level. XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is one of just 17 awardees to receive grants totaling $8 million. The funding will enable XLR8糖心Vlog官方 to introduce new activities utilizing regionally developed intellectual property, entrepreneurs and startups.

“Our XLR8糖心Vlog官方 program is a vital component of our work to advance the Hawaiʻi Innovation Initiative, and this significant grant from the EDA, following on our recognition by the SBA validates the confidence in our new directions,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner. “By developing talented entrepreneurs from among our faculty and students and fortifying the innovation ecosystem at 糖心Vlog官方, we are playing a key role in Hawaiʻi’s efforts to diversify our economy, create high-quality jobs and build the foundation for new revenue sources.”

About XLR8糖心Vlog官方

Launched in 2014, XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is a first of its kind proof of concept center/venture accelerator developed by the University of Hawaiʻi with Sultan Ventures, a boutique venture firm which also manages it. The proof of concept center educates, mentors and invests in 糖心Vlog官方 research and talent, ranging from students to post docs, faculty and alumni. It is one of the first public university investment programs in the nation, revolutionizing the way innovation and research is commercialized. Last year, XLR8糖心Vlog官方 was recognized as one of the nation’s leading accelerators by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition.

“There is pent up demand for entrepreneurial training in Hawaiʻi, and this $1 million boost will make a significant difference in XLR8糖心Vlog官方’s ability to reach out to even more communities across the Hawaiian Islands,” said Omar Sultan, co-founder and managing partner of XLR8糖心Vlog官方.

Under the XLR8糖心Vlog官方 program, participants receive hands-on training and resources through the three-phased program branded Lean, Build, Pitch™ as well as the opportunity to pitch at “Demo Days” in both Honolulu and in Silicon Valley. To date, the XLR8糖心Vlog官方 program has developed 15 companies that currently employ 67 individuals. These startups have already generated over $600,000 in revenue and have raised $7.8 million in total funding.

糖心Vlog官方 News video about XLR8糖心Vlog官方

About the i6 Challenge

Launched in 2010, the i6 Challenge is part of the Startup America Initiative, and is now in its fifth iteration. The i6 Challenge is a national competition that makes small, targeted high-impact investments to support startup creation, innovation and help turn technology into jobs. The funding supports the development and expansion of new and existing proof-of-concept and commercialization centers, which help innovators fine tune and scale their innovations to bring new products and services to the market.

Seven teams have been selected as finalists for the third cohort of the University of Hawaiʻi proof of concept center/venture accelerator. The innovative research represented includes potential solutions in the areas of algorithms, desalinization, structures, travel, language and culture. The teams have the potential to receive between $25,000 to $50,000 for completing the program and up to $100,000 in follow on funding.

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is a first of its kind proof of concept center/venture accelerator developed by the and , a boutique venture firm that manages it. The proof of concept center educates, mentors and invests in 糖心Vlog官方 research and talent, ranging from students to post docs, faculty and alumni. It is one of the first public university investment programs in the nation, revolutionizing the way innovation and research is commercialized.

“XLR8糖心Vlog官方 continues to lay a solid foundation for the expansion of our entrepreneurial ecosystem at 糖心Vlog官方,” said Vassilis L. Syrmos, 糖心Vlog官方 vice president for . “The program is a key component to the successful commercialization of our research and to success of the Hawaiʻi Innovation Initiative.”

The teams are currently in the first phase XLR8糖心Vlog官方’s intensive 16-week mentorship and investment program, where they will be assessing and developing their business models. Teams selected to advance on to the second phase will immerse themselves into further business development efforts and in the third phase, they will develop and practice their pitch to investors. Throughout the entire program, the teams will have access to valuable mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors.

“We are very pleased with the diversity of our teams and the size of problems they are tackling,” said Omar Sultan, managing director of XLR8糖心Vlog官方. “These teams have the real potential to produce substantial companies.”

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 cohort 3 finalists

• , a platform that allows developers and data scientists to rapidly deploy algorithms
• DeSal Survival, a pocket-sized desalination device to produce fresh potable water for survival.
• , Innovative structures for the 21st century
• , connecting you with local travel guides right from your phone
• , preparing young athletes for varsity sports
• , online international language and cultural training
• , zero pollution, zero waste, transforming wastewater into clean water and energy

糖心Vlog官方 News video about XLR8糖心Vlog官方

Potential investors got to see some of the exciting developments at the at a technology showcase in October. The presentations included:

• 鈥淐测产别谤-CANOE 3D virtual reality environment鈥� by Jason Leigh, 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 professor of
• 鈥淎natomical 3D models on the zSpace virtual reality platform鈥� by Jesse Thompson, technical director for anatomical imaging at the
• 鈥淭elescope mirror technology for the solar industry鈥� by Professor and MorphOptic co-founder Jeff Kuhn
• 鈥淩ealistic brain phantom for MRI research and development鈥� by 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 graduate students Kyoko Fujimoto and Trent Robertson

The event was sponsored by 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 , 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 and .

Guests included entrepreneurs, potential investors, intellectual property attorneys, defense contractors and other parties interested in licensing 糖心Vlog官方 innovations.

Photos from the event

View photos on the .

鈥擝y Kelli Trifonovitch

Partners from (KS) and the recently came together to launch an exciting three-year Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) innovation and entrepreneurship collaboration.

The collaboration includes two projects: , which comprises six integrated Hawaiian culture-based STEM and healthcare teams assigned to specific laʻau lapaʻau (Hawaiian herbal medicine) projects and Hālau Pā, an innovation hub located in the heart of Mōʻiliʻili.

Project ʻOlonā

The newly formed education collective aims to engage Native Hawaiian community college students in Project ʻOlonā through a series of applied and scientific research projects that are founded on Native Hawaiian ʻike and ways of knowing and doing while leveraging 21st-century scientific technology and tools to better investigate and understand what their kūpuna knew and practiced through centuries of lived experiences.

Hālau Pā

The Hālau Pā will be the piko or central point for the convergence of Native Hawaiian student research and innovation. It will provide a space for highly creative, culturally-grounded, interdisciplinary collaboration for students from the various colleges and programs—including nursing/health, construction and business—to pursue research, product development and prototyping.

Students will have access to design space and equipment, as well as university researchers, mentors and industry experts. Coordinated student research and product prototyping developed at the Hālau Pā will be supported by , and the 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa faculty. Entrepreneurship experts from will assist the students in cultivating commercially viable products or services.

For the full article and photos from the launch, visit .

—Written by KS Executive Strategy Consultant Stacy Clayton (republished with permission)

On Wednesday, October 14, (SBA) Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet presented $50,000 checks to both , the University of Hawaiʻi’s proof of concept center/venture accelerator, and the at in recognition of being named two of the nation’s elite programs in the annual SBA .

The ceremony was held at the Daniel K. Inouye (C-MORE) Hale at 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa. The presentation was attended by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono and Congressman Mark Takai, who gave introduction to small business successes in the islands. Contreras-Sweet’s visit to Hawaiʻi marks the first by an SBA administrator since 2005.

About XLR8糖心Vlog官方

XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is a first of its kind proof of concept center/venture accelerator developed by the University of Hawaiʻi and , a boutique venture firm, which also manages it. The proof of concept center educates, mentors and invests in 糖心Vlog官方 research and talent, ranging from students to post docs, faculty and alumni. It is one of the first public university investment programs in the nation, revolutionizing the way innovation and research is commercialized. To date, 11 companies have been through the XLR8糖心Vlog官方 program, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue and receiving millions of dollars in follow-on funding.

“This national recognition of our accelerator program by SBA, at just over a year old, confirms our belief in the abundance of opportunities that exist at the University of Hawaiʻi in all disciplines, particularly those that emphasize Hawaiʻi’s strengths in energy, astronomy, marine and life sciences,” said Omar S. Sultan, cofounder and managing director of XLR8糖心Vlog官方 and founding partner of Sultan Ventures. “Our goal is to cultivate and empower the talent affiliated with 糖心Vlog官方.”

As a winner in the accelerator competition, XLR8糖心Vlog官方 will report metrics such as jobs created, funds raised and startups launched. This will allow the SBA to continue building upon its database of accelerators and their impact and to develop long-term relationships with the startups and constituents in these innovative and entrepreneurial communities.

“XLR8糖心Vlog官方 is a cornerstone to the successful commercialization of our research,” said Vassilis L. Syrmos, 糖心Vlog官方 vice president for research and innovation. “By developing talented entrepreneurs from our ranks and fortifying the entrepreneurial ecosystem at 糖心Vlog官方 we are also contributing to the in its efforts to diversify the state’s economy.”

For more, read the .

About the Maui Food Innovation Center

The Maui Food Innovation Center provides business and technological expertise to food and agricultural entrepreneurs throughout the State of Hawaiʻi.

A program of 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College, the center helps farmers and food manufacturers increase profitability through the development of new value-added food products, reduces the state’s dependence on imports and contributes to the sustainability of island-based agriculture.

“The Maui Food Innovation Center is an important program that offers both the training and facilities needed by local food entrepreneurs to build a small business,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College Chancellor Lui K. Hokoana. “We’re excited the project has been recognized nationally, and this additional award will increase learning opportunities for students.”

For more on the Maui Food Innovation Center, visit the .