More than 800 Startups Applied to Cohort 18

+800 Applications Received!

for Blue Startups – Cohort 18

Last year, we accepted only the top 2% into our cohort, and more than 60% of our startups were founded or led by women. This year, with over 600 startups applying to Blue Startups, we want to raise the bar even higher.

The early read is what we hoped for: a strong showing by women founders and teams in our focus sectors (AI, Sustainability, Ocean Tech, and Travel). Now, founders are ready to come build in Hawaiʻi for the summer.

Blue Startups now has a 3-tier investment program:

25,000 → Pre-revenue

$50,000 → Post-revenue

$100,000 → Significant traction

Plus up to $250,000 in total startup funding.

As always, our equity stake is flexible via SAFE.

Did you miss the deadline? You can still apply. We do review late applications when we have the time. We cannot promise the same timeline or the full process we give to on-time applicants, but it’s better to apply late than never.

415K views in 12 days… Wow!!!
Chenoa on HumanizeHer Podcast

Chenoa Farnsworth, sat down with Erica Lockheimer on the HumanizeHer Podcast to talk story about building a mindful tech ecosystem in Hawaiʻi. In less then two weeks, this meaningful conversation has crossed over 415,000 views on YouTube.

Watch on YouTube · Spotify · Apple Podcasts

We’re launching Blue Academy’s 
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp at HPU

It’s happening! Blue Startups and Hawaii Pacific University are offering a FREE 5-day Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for high school students at Aloha Tower this July 27 to 31. Lunch paid by HPU’s John F. Scarpa Entrepreneurial Pathway.

If you know a Hawaiʻi junior or senior (ages 16 and 17) who’d love this, or if you’re a parent, send them this post. School wraps soon. Let’s get the word out now! Spots are filling up fast.  Deadline to apply is June 30, 2026.

ThriveHI lands in San Francisco

ThriveHI just held its first ever Pau Hana in San Francisco, carrying the Hawaiʻi tech community to the Bay Area. They are building the bridge between island founders and the mainland network. See full recap to their event on their LinkedIn Post.

Alumni Job Opportunities

Pacific Hybreed

• Roles: Hatchery Technician; Nursery Technician
• Location: Kona, Hawaiʻi
• Salary: $22–$25/hr
• Apply: https://fish.uw.edu/2025/01/pacific-hybreed-hiring-hatchery-technician/

HOKALI

• Roles: After School Educator; Program Staff; Ops Assistant
• Location: California (multiple cities)
• Salary:
  • Program Staff: ~$50/hr
  • Ops Assistant: ~$35/hr
• Apply: https://apply.workable.com/hokali/

Kind Traveler

• Roles: Sales Territory Managers (multiple regions); Internships
• Location: Remote / global territories
• Apply: https://www.kindtraveler.com/hiring

Instant Teams

• Roles: Case Managers; Sales; Entry-level roles
• Location: Remote (U.S.)
• Apply: https://instantteams.com/jobs/