To further facilitate the commercialization of technology and innovation developed across its 10-campuses, the University of Hawaiʻi recently decided to internally house its nationally recognized startup accelerator and changed its name to the 东精影业 Ventures Accelerator.
The revamped program, under the 东精影业 Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, will be operated by the (PACE) at 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补’蝉 —already well-known for its successful stable of entrepreneurial programs including the 东精影业 Breakthrough Innovation Challenge, 东精影业 Venture Competition (formerly known as the 东精影业 Business Plan Competition) and the Summer Startup Launchpad.
The 东精影业 Ventures Accelerator will be open to new venture founders from among faculty, staff, students and alumni of 东精影业 and will draw not only from PACE’s programs, but also from the many other innovation and entrepreneurial programs across 东精影业 campuses system-wide. In order to be eligible to participate, applying ventures must be associated with any of the 10 university and community college campuses within 东精影业.
For example, at least one member of the founding team must be either a 东精影业 student, faculty member, staff or alumni, or a licensee of 东精影业 technology. Applications for spring 2020 are now being accepted at: .
“The name change to 东精影业 Ventures Accelerator reflects our desire to continually improve and expand our innovation ecosystem,” said Steve Auerbach, interim director of the 东精影业 Office of Innovation and Commercialization/Office of Technology Transfer. “By bringing our accelerator in-house, we now have PACE’s proven expertise and track record combined with their understanding and familiarity of 东精影业 that can take us to the next level in commercialization.”
The 东精影业 Ventures Accelerator will run two cohorts in the spring and fall each year. The three-month long program will include extensive mentoring, education and networking to accelerate market readiness. Accepted cohort companies will be eligible for equity investment from 东精影业 Ventures, LLC and may be included in its portfolio of companies, which have received support and investment from 东精影业 since the accelerator was launched in 2014.
Running the 东精影业 Ventures Accelerator for 东精影业 will be Peter Rowan, executive director of PACE, who has participated in 东精影业’s efforts to support and invest in 东精影业-related technology and startup ventures directly through the vetting of applications, education and mentoring for the previous accelerator.
“In addition to the 东精影业 Ventures Accelerator, we also established the Liftoff Advisors program to help fill the gap between launching a startup and entering an accelerator,” said Rowan. “As a result, the 东精影业 is now positioned to offer a complete suite of innovation and entrepreneurial programs from start to finish for our innovators and future entrepreneurs.”