HONOLULU — Venture accelerator Blue Startups on Saturday announced the seven teams selected for its first cohort. The selected companies hail from Honolulu, and San Diego and Redwood City, Calif. The companies receive $20,000 as an up-front investment, and access
HONOLULU — Venture accelerator Blue Startups on Saturday announced the seven teams selected for its first cohort.
The selected companies hail from Honolulu, and San Diego and Redwood City, Calif. The companies receive $20,000 as an up-front investment, and access to more than $100,000 in in-kind services.
Blue Startups is part of the Global Accelerator Network. The purpose of this project is to provide a company access to resources needed to move to the next level.
“The selection process focused primarily on our assessment of the team’s ability to execute and their relative competitive advantages in the global marketplace,” said Chenoa Farnsworth, managing director for Blue Startups. “We received over 100 applications and narrowed it down to these seven, so we are extremely confident in our first cohort and anxious to get these startups ready to compete in the global market.”
Teams will have workspace at the “Sky Box.” In exchange for the capital and in-kind services, Blue Startups will take an equity stake in each company. Monday will mark the start for the Spring 2013 session.
Honolulu-based, SurroundsMe automates social media marketing, turning loyal customers into advocates and online content creators for businesses.
Tealet, founded by Elyse Peterson of Honolulu, is a direct-from-grower e-commerce marketplace that allows U.S. tea drinkers to connect with tea growers from around the world. Growers post stories and teas while drinkers browse, review and purchase teas.
Aptly Inc. creates a suite of applications to give people the tools they need to be more thoughtful within their social circles.
Tow Choice uses is an instant bidding platform that is designed to eliminate the costs and inefficiencies of tow truck dispatch centers using mobile and instant bidding technologies.
Volta provides electric vehicle charging stations to major metropolitan areas and commercial sites. Volta partners with commercial site owners, providing charging stations and installation and a split of advertising revenue.
Wicked Loot, a game development studio, addresses the core gaming market for mobile by making games that feature content generated by the users themselves.
Pharmbid is the first software of its kind directed at the pharmaceutical industry to combat drug shortages. It is a reverse bidding platform that allows healthcare facilities to request bids from vendors for all pharmaceutical needs.
