Blue Startups has selected 13 participating companies for its latest accelerator, which kicked off late last month.
The newest cohort — Cohort 16 — launched July 22 and will run through Oct. 11. The accelerator focuses on business development and mentorship, and the 12-week run will cover topics including customer delivery, product-market fit, and investor and customer connections, according to a release announcing the new cohort.
Here are the companies that make up Cohort 16:
- AdminNow - a platform that connects Salesforce contractors and Salesforce support customers
- CleverFi – a software-as-a-service company that enables secure Wi-Fi connections for travelers
- dabbL- an AI-powered app for students that offers personalized college and career guidance
- EKOS.AI - a management and engagement platform for professional membership communities
- Feedcoyote - an app that connects freelancers to new opportunities
- Maiven – an AI-powered business-to-business software solution that helps utilities reach decarbonization goals
- Skidattl - a platform that creates virtual signage for the physical world using Augmented Reality
- ThreadScribe – a software company that uses AI to turn Slack into what it calls “a searchable knowledge base”
- Umi - a platform that aims to help users learn languages through TV clips
- BoxLadder - an AI-powered platform that connects startups with investors and experts, with the goal of making the Silicon Valley experience accessible to marginalized entrepreneurs
- NutmegLabs - a marketing platform for tourism businesses
- Gidens – provides AI-enabled resources for entrepreneurs
- Coral Collective – a company that leverages AI data and advanced imaging to identify coral species and assess their health.
According to the announcement, the first eight weeks of the program will take place at Blue Startups’ Honolulu headquarters, before moving virtual for three weeks. The final week of the program will include a session in San Francisco, where companies will have the opportunity to connect with potential investors.
According to the release, four companies — BoxLadder, Coral Collective, Gidens and NutmegLabs — are part of what’s called the Advisory Track, a non-investment track that’s designed for earlier stage companies that focuses on mentorship, networking and growth.
Blue Startups is open to companies throughout the world, but as noted in the announcement, one of its focus areas is on companies that are based in Hawaii, or have a connection to Hawaii. This year, the businesses that have local ties include AdminNow, Skidattl, ThreadScribe, Umi, Gidens and Coral Collective.
“We look forward to the growth and transformations these companies make in the next 12 weeks towards their paths to success!” Blue Startups stated in the announcement.
