Hawaii business incubator XLR8HI is now accepting applications for its summer cohort.
The free, four-week, remote investment readiness and scaling program trains, mentors and supports Hawaii businesses across a wide range of industries. More than 100 locally based companies — including those in the clothing, conservation and confection industries, among others — have graduated from the program, from Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii Island.
An informational session will be held on Wednesday, June 22, and applications for the summer cohort are due by Wednesday, June 29.
XLR8HI recently completed its fourth preX cohort, and recent participant Jackie Troller — founder of Oceantroller, a free diving and snorkeling company — said in a statement, “Once you stretch yourself with preX, you never go back. You meet amazing local business owners and are exposed to different types of businesses, while working ceaselessly to improve your own. In the last month, I’ve been able to envision an incredibly compelling future for all the things I’ve worked so hard on for the last decade.”
Troller was part of the fourth preX cohort that finished at the end of May. Comprised of 20 companies, the cohort featured entrepreneurs in music, to pet services, and ocean-safe hair and body care for surfers, among others.
“We believe innovation occurs across Hawaii, so we designed preX as a stage and sector agnostic program to welcome a broad range of businesses," said Omar Sultan, managing partner of XLR8HI, in a statement. "With this wide and intentionally inclusive approach we’ve seen – including our most recent fourth cohort – a strong showing of female entrepreneurs and innovators from underrepresented communities, including Native Hawaiians. We also continue to see tech-based founders, all of whom are important for a vibrant innovation community in Hawaii.
"We’re encouraged by the diversity of founders and small business owners and excited that they can come together through preX to experience a connected ecosystem so they are not alone in their entrepreneurial journey. We’re looking forward to working with more local ventures and partners,” he said.
