The results are in for Round 1 of Pacific Business News’ second annual Inno Madness challenge.
The bracket-style competition puts businesses in the tech and innovation space head-to-head to compete for the title of Inno Madness champion.
A total of eight Hawaii companies participated this year, and the first round included four matchups.
The real goal of Inno Madness is to generate awareness for companies making waves in the Hawaii tech and innovation scene. So even though half the companies have now been eliminated, before we announce the winners, we wanted to again highlight the incredible work that all the companies are doing:
Reeler - an app that connects small-scale fishers directly to consumers with the goal of supporting fishers and increasing customer access to fresh, local seafood
Ai.Fish - a software startup dedicated to creating a more sustainable world for marine life and fisheries using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and computer vision technology
Shaka Guide - a startup that creates self-guided audio tours that play stories automatically as visitors drive and is now expanding to all National Parks
Pawniolo Pets - an agricultural company that creates healthy, nutritional pet food and treats made from Hawaii-grown livestock
Farm Link Hawaii - an online marketplace providing Oahu-wide home delivery of fresh food sourced from local farmers, ranchers, and food makers
Hawaii Farm Trails - a multifaceted enterprise that includes retail operations, a carbon sequestration project, and a digital platform to connect people with agritourism operators
Hawaii Entertainment Media (H.E.M) - a multimedia, immersive virtual and mixed reality experiences company
Parklinq – a Hawaii-based parking company that specializes in “rates for residents,” offering locals preferential rates or complimentary parking through smartphone-based ID verification
The results of Round 1 are as follows:
- In the first matchup, Parklinq beat Reeler with 76% of the votes.
- In the second matchup, Ai.Fish took the round over Hawaii Entertainment Media (H.E.M) with 55% of the votes.
- In a very close third matchup between Shaka Guide and Farm Link Hawaii, Shaka Guide won with 51% of the votes.
- In the fourth matchup, Pawniolo Pets got 69% of the votes, taking the round over Hawaii Farm Trails.
The four winning companies will progress onto the next round, where they will face off in two separate matchups.
Thanks to all of our participants and voters.
Stay tuned for the launch of Round 2. When we announce the next round, you’ll have a chance to learn more about the remaining companies.
