Blue Startups’ newest cohort is now underway. The locally based technology accelerator launched Cohort 15 on Sept. 25, with a total of 11 companies.
Blue Startups Managing Partner Chenoa Farnsworth told Pacific Business News that “it’s been a busy couple of weeks” for the cohort, which has convened in Honolulu for the first eight weeks of the 13-week program.
The accelerator focuses on business development and mentorship, with the first part of the program centering on customer discovery and market product fit. After that, four weeks will take place virtually, focused on investor and customer connections. The final week will be spent in San Francisco, where participants will make connections with potential investors.
Farnsworth told PBN the 11 companies were selected from an applicant pool of more than 400.
Here’s a look at Cohort 15:
- Taltrics – a software-as-a-service company that utilizes AI and data to help businesses optimize resources
- One2Four – a communication platform that facilitates the creation, distribution, consumption and interaction of digital content
- HuddlUp – an app that offers video conferencing, file-sharing, and chat functions, with an emphasis on privacy
- Randevu – a software tool that aims to help people foster connections
- Landng – a content discovery platform that enables users to create and share travel itineraries
- BiteSlice - a software-as-a-service company that aims to help content creators generate revenue
- Lloom – a software-as-a-service company that aims to help businesses implement AI process improvement solutions
- Segment X – a software-as-a-service company that utilizes AI and automation to help B2B businesses create personalization in prospecting efforts
- 40hammocks – travel technology that aims to simplify group trip planning
- Travaras – a travel platform that curates hyper-local accommodations and experiences, with the goal of supporting local communities and minimizing travel impact
- Legislature.ai – uses AI to track local government legislation and alert users on updates.
Blue Startups is open to local, national and international companies, and Farnsworth said that it always aims to have at least half of a cohort be comprised of Hawaii-based companies. This time, she noted, Blue Startups surpassed that goal, with about 70% of the cohort being Hawaii-based. According to Blue Startups’ website, the Cohort 15 businesses that are based in Hawaii or have Hawaii connections are: One2Four, HuddlUp, Randevu, Lloom, Segment X, 40hammocks and Legislature.ai.
According to Farnsworth, an increase in Hawaii applicants is a shift that Blue Startups saw with this cohort.
“A lot of folks moved here recently — maybe they are Covid transplants, or kamaaina coming home. We’ve had a lot of folks move back here during the pandemic … so what that has done for Blue Startups is bring in a whole different talent pool to draw from,” she said. “We are seeing a shift in the demographic of people that are living here having more technical backgrounds and experience in the tech industry that we can leverage into new businesses starting here.”
Farnsworth noted that Blue Startups also prioritizes creating cohorts with gender diversity, and this cohort has five female founders.
Another notable trend in this cohort, she said, is the prevalence of AI companies.
Travel technology also has a strong representation in this group, she said.
“[Travel] is a strength that we can play into [in Hawaii], and we remain committed to leveraging that strength to build those bridges between our tourism sector and our technology sector,” Farnsworth said.
Among the 11 companies, eight are in the main accelerator program, while three — 40hammocks, Legislature.ai and Travaras — are early-stage companies. Farnsworth said that Blue Startups began incorporating early-stage companies into the program last year.
“We are really trying to nurture companies that we think have promise,” she said.
For more information about the current cohort, click here.
