We are excited to announce the amazing startups selected for Cohort 16.

Each of these companies will take part in a 12 week program of intensive mentorship and business development (July 22 – October 11):
– 8 weeks in Honolulu focused on customer discovery and product-market fit
– 3 weeks virtual focused on investor and customer connections
– 1 week in San Francisco focused on investor connections (including Investor Day)

We look forward to the growth and transformations these companies make in the next 12 weeks towards their paths to success!

Here is a recap of our areas of focus:

▪ Cross-border between Asia and the U.S. (East Meets West)
▪ Hawaii-based or Hawaii-connected
▪ Female founded or co-founded

▪ Business-to-business software solutions
▪ Sustainability: responsible consumption, carbon reduction and smart cities
▪ Travel and tourism technology solutions

AdminNow is a platform that brings Salesforce contractors and Salesforce support customers together for the best price in real-time. It is the Uber of IT support.

CleverFi allows anyone traveling to connect to WiFi securely and Automatically without asking “what is the Wi-Fi password?” every time.

dabbL is a student networking app offering college and career guidance with AI-powered personalized paths, fit-based colleges, and tailored high school plans. It analyzes student activity to recommend career roadmaps. As a freemium app, dabbL provides exploration of colleges and careers, and a strong network of peers and mentors.

EKOS.AI is a community management and engagement platform designed for private and paid professional membership communities, significantly reducing community managers’ workload while boosting engagement and retention through AI-powered events, personalized networking, and dynamic communication tools, maximizing ROI for both managers and members.

Feedcoyote is a social productivity app that connects the 1.5 billion freelance professionals worldwide to increase earning opportunities through networking & project collaboration.

Maiven is the AI-powered home energy concierge software that is driving rapid decarbonization in homes. By replacing energy programs’ manual program processes, Maiven’s b2b SaaS solution helps utilities reach decarbonization goals faster and at less cost.

Skidattl is a SaaS platform that enables the creation of virtual signage in the physical world using Augmented Reality.

ThreadScribe transforms your Slack workspace into a searchable knowledge base, using AI to break down information silos and streamline support operations.

Umi is a language learning platform through TV clips

Advisory companies are participating in the Blue Startups accelerator through a non-investment track designed for mentorship, networking, and growth.

BoxLadder is an AI-powered platform connecting startups with global investors and experts. It aims to digitalize Silicon Valley’s ecosystem, offering an effective and affordable expert-investor matching service for marginalized entrepreneurs worldwide.

NutmegLabs is a next-gen marketing platform for tourism providers.

Gidens creates products and services using advanced technologies such as AI that benefit minority communities, businesses, and tech talent.

Coral Collective is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of coral reefs through innovative technology and community engagement. By leveraging advanced imaging and AI-driven data analysis, we provide accurate and efficient monitoring solutions to identify coral species and assess their health.

The award-winning documentary Show Her the Money is coming to Honolulu!

August 20th @ Entrepreneurs Sandbox
Doors open at 5 p.m.
Viewing followed by Fireside chat with Producer, Catherine Gray
Hosted by Hawaii Angels in partnership with HTDC, Builders VC, HVCA.

SHOW HER THE MONEY addresses how women are getting less than 2% of venture capital funding and demystifies what venture capital is. Featuring rock-star female investors who invest in diverse women entrepreneurs with innovations that will change the world, Show Her The Money reminds us that money is power and women need it to achieve true equality. This SXSW-selected film highlights the journeys of four female entrepreneurs and their drive to succeed with the support of dedicated angel investors and Venture Capitalists. The film offers insights into the world of startups and investors, appealing to anyone interested in entrepreneurship, venture investing, and the power of mentorship. Winner of the Best Documentary award by the Los Angeles International Film Festival.

Watch the trailer and register for the event here!

Hawaii AI & Cloud Innovation Summit

Location: Hawaii Convention Center
Date & Time: August 21, 2024, 9am – 5pm

Register now and use the promo code “DBEDT” for FREE registration before July 8.

Join us at the Hawaiʻi AI & Cloud Innovation Summit, hosted by DBEDT and its partners. This event, organized by TRUE Initiative, will be Hawaii’s largest AI and Cloud conference, focusing on productivity, customer experience, workforce development, and ethical AI in business.

Join us for Honolulu Tech Week!

Dates: September 16-22, 2024

Honolulu Tech Week is Hawaii’s largest week of tech events hosted by our industry leaders, founders, executives, investors, and educators. Join us and 1,000+ people across 20+ events from panels and pau hana mixers to workshops and demo days. Experience Hawaii’s tech community come alive from September 16-22, 2024, while making meaningful connections and learning from our industry’s best. Register for free at HonoluluTechWeek.com.