Platinum Sponsors

The HI Growth Initiative is a State of Hawaii equity investment program designed to catalyze the development of an innovation ecosystem that supports entrepreneurial high growth businesses and creates high wage jobs for people. The HI Growth Initiative provides $20 million of investment capital that will focus on the critical building blocks of an innovation ecosystem: entrepreneur development, research commercialization and the mobilization of startup investment capital.


High Technology Development Corporation is a state agency established by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1983 to facilitate the development and growth of Hawaii’s commercial high technology industry.

It’s core initiatives are to develop and manage a statewide network of incubation services and facilities, to expand existing business development services for new start-ups, to secure and administer federal and private grants and contracts in support of technology research, and to support skilled workforce development for the technology sector through outreach programs, partnerships, and web-based communications activities.


The Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation (HSDC) is an agency of the State of Hawaii established in 1990 to promote  economic development and economic diversification in Hawaii through a return driven investment program in partnership with private capital. HSDC is governed by HRS 211F and Chapter 127 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules.

HSDC operates as a fund of funds, meaning HSDC does not invest directly into companies, but instead invests in venture capital partnerships.  These investment partnerships make direct investments into Hawaii-based companies. The general partners of the venture capital partnerships, or fund managers, are private sector investors who pool funds from a number of investors, identify and invest in promising businesses, and manage the investments until an exit from the investment is achieved. In this manner, HSDC is able to leverage public funds with private capital and utilize the investment acumen of the private sector in selecting suitable investments.


Gold Sponsors

Thanks to the internet, a variety of new services have become a part of our lives. As victims of abusive comments or false rumors have increased, cyberbullying has gone beyond a tolerable level. Encouraging internet users to behave ethically in cyberspace and leading them to learn appropriate cyber etiquette is needed to create a safe and firm internet world.

As an exclusive agency in the field of internet and information security, KISA will endeavor to work with enthusiasm to build a road for people who use the internet, to enter into a warm and comfortable world.


TAB THE MOMENTUM is a global business accelerator out of Seoul, Korea. TAB builds momentum and boosts practical growth for high-tech startups and assists in partnership development. Startups that have gone through the TAB program and have become partner companies enjoy a wealth of resources and build momentum with experts from various fields.

TAB provides working space support, MOMENTUM SQUARE, as well as financial support, which includes investment strategy for the right funding at the right time, direct investment, and connection to investment with best fit.


A waterfront community in the heart of Honolulu, Ward Village is a thoughtfully-curated living community by developer The Howard Hughes Corporation. Ward Village includes exceptional residences, an eclectic collection of retail stores and entertainment venues, pedestrian walkways, outdoor gathering spaces and a 60-acre coastal address. Ward Village is Honolulu’s newest contemporary village: a cosmopolitan setting with a fresh, modern attitude that embraces Hawaiian culture and is the perfect mix of urban and island living.

Hawaii Angels is the premier investment network for seed-level equity investors in Hawaii to share investment opportunities, expertise, and due diligence. Hawaii Angels provides a forum for members to review investment presentations and share opinions about these opportunities. ince its founding in February 2002, the member angels have invested more than $40 million in over 60 companies.


Since its founding in 1988, the Hawaii Venture Capital Association (HVCA) has stood as a nexus for Hawaii entrepreneurship, capital foundation, and networking opportunities. The HVCA seeks to foster entrepreneurial development through networking, education, and access to venture capital.  HVCA’s mission is to serve as a catalyst and beacon in the heart of the Pacific for entrepreneurship and venture capital activity and growth.


Silver Sponsors

Founded in 2010, BlackSand Capital is a real estate private equity firm distinguished by its integrity, innovation, flexibility, and intimate knowledge of the Hawaii market. It stands out as the only Hawaii-focused real estate private equity fund.  BlackSand Capital’s strong foundation rises from a family legacy that began with The MacNaughton Group and Kobayashi Group, real estate development firms that have been active in Hawaii for over 70 years.

Honolulu County (officially known as the City and County of Honolulu, formerly Oahu County) is a consolidated city–county located in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The City and County includes both the city of Honolulu (the state’s capital and largest city) and the rest of the island of Oʻahu, as well as several minor outlying islands, including all of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (islands beyond Niihau) except Midway Atoll.


Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati represents companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm’s broad range of services and practice areas are focused on addressing the principal challenges faced by the management, boards of directors, shareholders, and in-house counsel of our clients.

With an 85-year history and strong connections to Hawaii’s communities, ASB is one of the Hawaii’s largest financial institutions. We offer our customers the tools they need to have full, productive financial lives – including commercial and consumer banking services and insurance and investment options.


The Mbloom Incubator and Technology Fund promotes economic development and entrepreneurship in Hawaii by offering qualified startup tech companies capital and expertise to help grow their businesses. Mbloom’s mission is to create an innovation eco-system in Hawaii; matching investors and capital with smart entrepreneurs and providing the vital advice, important relationships, and strategic partnerships needed to build successful companies. The Mbloom model celebrates a community where work becomes play…why wait for tomorrow when you can live for today?

SV In.Fusion, powered by BootstrapLabs, is a two week startup bootcamp that works directly with founders, their investors, incubators, accelerator, co-working space partners, NGOs and Government Agencies around the world to facilitate and accelerate the sharing of Silicon Valley best practices.


HSF Consulting is a executive search and technical recruitment firm that builds engineering teams for venture-capital backed startups in the San Francisco bay market.  HSF Consulting’s team additionally has over a decade of experience recruiting in Asia.  Partnering with Asian tech startups we consult on market entry strategies for hiring and recruitment of US founding teams.  HSF Consulting recruits staff to CXO level engineering talent on both a retained and contingency basis.

Community Sponsors

Tetris

The Tetris video game was originally released on June 6, 1984. Tetris is a tile-matching puzzle video game that became a near instant hit at its release. In January 2010, it was announced that Tetris had sold over 170 million copies, making it the highest paid downloaded game of all time.

HiBEAM was founded in 2000 to help launch and build new technology, biotechnology and life sciences companies by providing them with expert professional advice and access to funding sources. Since then, the HiBEAM portfolio companies have raised over $100 million in equity funding.

Hastings & Pleadwell: A Communication Company is a full-service communication provider that develops personalized communication strategy services since 1996.


Hawaii Business is an award-winning magazine that covers the major issues affecting the state’s businesses, and provides useful information to owners and managers. Founded in 1955,Hawaii Business is the oldest regional business magazine in the United States and reaches more than 58,000 business decision makers each month.

TotalGDS is a complete online booking and promotion software for the travel industry, primarily for tour operators and activity vendors, and other time-based services. TotalGDS provides the solid foundation for businesses to flourish. A robust real-time booking,pricing, and management platform keeps you in touch with ongoing business and customer inquiries.

Sultan Ventures is a consulting firm offering services to entrepreneurs and investors alike.


Empowered Presentations is a presentation design and consulting company. Specializing in Powerpoint and Keynote, we deliver one of a kind, engaging, high-impact presentations just for you!

GAN is the global champion of the seed-stage, mentorship-driven accelerator model and includes 50 of the most respected accelerators from six continents around the world.

Beyond facilities, we facilitate your capital growth by providing a space for innovation, inspiration, and collaboration…an open source accelerator providing services and introductions when and where you need them…engage, exchange, evolve. ROC.


Started from July 2002. Hawaii Chinese News is the only newspaper printed in Hawaii to serve the Chinese Community.

LiveSift is an easy to use collaborative platform that makes meetings and events more engaging and productive.  Participants use their own Internet connected devices to contribute to group activities, while real-time visualizations of results make discussions focused and engaging.

Promotional Partners





Franko Maps
Honolulu Coffee

Hawaiian Natural Tea