Local Innovation. Global Reach.
Startup Hawaiʻi is building a technology startup community on Hawaiʻi Island with the ultimate vision of creating an economic future that is diverse, equitable, and sustainable.
This ecosystem - connections, infrastructure, and resources - will empower local tech founders to launch and scale their companies.
Mission
To convene and empower every interested innovator, techie, and entrepreneur on Hawaiʻi Island to use their collective intelligence, tools, and connections to:
★ Ideate and build high-growth, scalable tech startups
★ Create an engaged trusted community that startup founders can rely on
★ Enable local tech startups to scale and succeed on a local, state, and global stage
Approach
While we can look to successful examples of communities around the world, it’s important that we create our own path forward that fits with our island's values and priorities. What makes us unique is also our strength.
To do this, Startup Hawaiʻi will follow a set of guiding principles to ensure that we are staying true to the values of our island.
Imagine…
Imagine an island with a diverse economy and equitable opportunities. Where talented young people don’t have to leave to attain a stable, sustainable career. Where resources from here and created here, stay here. A Hawaiʻi Island where our strength comes from within and is not dependent on outside extractive industries.
With Startup Hawaiʻi, we can create a better future together by building a strong and sustainable technology startup community. A successful community is inclusive, united behind a common goal or purpose, connected locally and globally, and supports the entire lifecycle of a company.
There are a lot of great initiatives and companies being built on this island. But, the ecosystem is fragmented and there’s a need to bring it together and move forward together.
Startup Hawaiʻi aims to connect our island’s existing ecosystem, identify and fill gaps, and establish the tools and infrastructure required to build a successful startup community.
Maria Leonardi provides an overview of Startup Hawaiʻi’s program in this 10-minute segment.
Join Us
Are you interested in staying informed or actively participating in Startup Hawaiʻi? Whether you are a tech founder or employee, local leader, interested mentor, investor, or other community member, sign up to join us on this journey.
