Hawaii-based technology company accelerator Blue Startups announced its 13th cohort on Tuesday, a mix of local, national and international representation.
The eight early-stage companies comprise the sectors of travel, education, communication and gaming.
"In general, a very sophisticated group of founders with multiple second-time founders, companies with real traction and businesses that are global from Day 1," Chenoa Farnsworth, managing partner for Blue Startups, emailed Pacific Business News.
Blue Startups' selections can receive up to $100,000 in capital and be exposed to a mentor network of more than 160. This cohort's program will culminate with a networking trip to San Francisco.
A little on the eight companies:
- CeliTech, a cellular data platform that enables businesses to offer eSIM service
- Mount, a software-as-a-service platform that tracks assets for real estate companies
- Hokali, a surf school marketplace that connects students with coaches
- Shaka Sports, a platform for livestreaming and sharing youth sports games
- TomYo Edtech, an educational tech company for developing nations' youth
- Inkah, an internet tool to learn Chinese and Korean while browsing the web
- Vanta Leagues, a development and networking platform for esports players
- Givespace, a business-to-business platform to streamline fundraising
Three are from Hawaii: Vanta League, Givespace, and Shaka Sports. Farnsworth noted that Mount, CeliTech and Hokali are in the travel sector, making them ideal for market entry to the Islands.
TomYo is Blue Startups' first company from Mongolia. Inkah has a co-founder from Taiwan and Hokali's founder is from Argentina.
TomYo, Givespace and Mount are female-led.
This year, 520 companies applied for the cohort, compared to 494 for the 12th edition.
Blue Startups, founded by Henk Rogers, previously determined that this cohort would return to in-person after its 12th was virtual.
