OUR PROGRAM
Providing wrap-around services to UH deep-tech startup entrepreneurs
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Benefits & OUTCOMES

EDUCATION

Enhance entrepreneurship skills and mindset through a tailored curriculum to navigate the customer discovery process and develop a business model canvas with NSF I-Corps, and tailored programming with industry experts.

GUIDANCE

Receive personalized, 1:1 support from a curated pool of program coaches, industry mentors and subject matter experts aligned to help build and grow your startup company.

FUNDING

Access up to $50K in non-dilutive funding from OIC ($25K milestone-based seed funding + up to $25K upon securing a matching grant from Hawaii Technology Development Corporation), as well as additional funding opportunities through grant-writing education, partner and investor connections.

NETWORK

Expand your local and global network of fellow deep-tech innovators, entrepreneurs, mentors and investors through events and connections through program partner MassChallenge and community collaborators such as Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) and Elemental Excelerator.

TARGET & TIMELINE

APPLICANTS

Individuals, teams or startups with UH-affiliated, science-based technologies who want to commercialize and create real-world impact.

Timeline

24 months x minimum 4 hrs./wk. 6 mos. curriculum + 6 mos. mentorship + 12 mos. SBIR support

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Curriculum

PHASE 1

CUSTOMER DISCOVERY, BUSINESS MODELING, PROTOTYPE TESTING

PHASE 2

STORYTELLING, PITCH PREPARATION, NETWORKING AND SHOWCASE

PHASE 3

GRANT WRITING, PITCHING AND ONGOING MENTORSHIP

PHASE 4

ONGOING MENTORSHIP AND COACHING

Mentoring, coaching, and guidance is ongoing.

TEAM
J.-Deane-photo-e1714174341361-qnau9utbkan89pzw37x48uev226136k4etza8zqs2o

JIM DEANE

Director
Office of Innovation and Commercialization

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63086f5b8d5d09d4a29fcafb_headshots_0002_George Yarbrough

George Yarbrough

Associate Director
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Programs

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64f8e2d1a6979905d6abc278_Headshot_VictoriaTrevino

Tori Treviño

Coordinator
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Programs

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FAQs

HITIDE (Hawai‘i Technology Innovation Development Ecosystem) is a UH System innovation incubator program that provides concierge services, seed funding and resources specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of academic entrepreneurs with UH-affiliated, deep-tech startups.
Unlike other accelerator or incubator programs, HITIDE is focused on long-term growth vs. short-term investments. The program is customized to meet the needs, demands and innovations of academic entrepreneurs – University of Hawai‘i faculty, staff, students and alumni – and provides a longer incubation period (12-24 months) to support and advance startup pathways for deep-tech, high-impact innovations.
HITIDE cohort participants will receive hands-on guidance and support for 12-24 months.
Participants should assume a minimum commitment of four (4) hours per week on their startup (or 16 hours per month). Program advisors will work with each participant to create individual milestone-based timelines tailored to the needs, goals and bandwidth of each cohort participant. Selected participants will also be required to attend program events.

HITIDE is developed and operated by seasoned entrepreneurs and innovators, and focuses on providing a catered experience including:

  • Guidance: Comprehensive education and personalized coaching through mentors, advisors, webinars, classes and/or aligned programs;
  • Resources: Up to $50,000 in-kind operational support including legal and financial options and guidance on grant opportunities, business operations, and strategic planning;
  • Funding: Up to $50,000 including $25,000 in milestone-based seed funding and up to $25,000 in additional matching support upon securing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) and HTDC matching grant, in addition to other potential grant and investment opportunities; and
  • Perks: Exclusive networking, partnerships, community building, publicity and co-working space support.

Startups that offer UH-affiliated, deep-tech/science-based innovations may apply if:

  • Company: At least one member of the company (i.e. founder, executive, technical subject matter expert, researcher) is a UH System faculty, researcher, student, staff and/or alumni. Students and alumni must partner and apply with a current UH faculty and/or staff member; OR
  • Innovation: The technology must have originated and/or been developed at the University of Hawai‘i.

Applicants must have a UH-affiliated deep-tech innovation startup idea or company. Applicants will be selected based on a 100-point scale:

  • Innovation: Technology maturity, product market fit, commercial potential
  • Impact: Local and global impact on community and economy
  • Experience: Past performance and experience, previous funding and progress‍
  • Other: Additional compelling factors ie: passion, entrepreneurial spirit, engagement
Each year HITIDE accepts 3-5 companies into the cohort.
Selected cohort participants will execute a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) agreement at the start of the program.
We will update relevant dates soon! Stay tuned!

For more information, email hitide@hawaii.edu

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