Aloha and welcome to the first edition of ThriveHI!
We are a bi-weekly newsletter covering the startup and tech space in Hawaiʻi. As a minimum viable product (MVP), we’re using this Substack to test and validate the concept of ThriveHI and see how people engage and interact with it. The newsletter format is fairly straightforward–every two weeks you’ll receive updates on news, jobs, and events related to Hawaii’s startup and tech scene.
We hope that by publishing this information, people will realize that Hawaiʻi can be a world-leading economic hub, and more kama’āina will come home to high-paying, fulfilling jobs in Hawaiʻi.
Latest Hawaii Tech & Startup News
Ecosystem Spotlight
We are shouting out interesting, innovative, and trailblazing organizations within Hawaiʻi’s ecosystem. We stand atop the shoulders of giants–whether they are NGOs, startups, funders, or something else, these organizations are significant contributors to the effort to make Hawaiʻi a more equitable, innovative, economically resilient place.
Hatch Accelerator
📍Kailua-Kona, HI
Hatch is an aquaculture accelerator located on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. After two years in operation, HATCH has invested in more than 30 companies, run three successful cohorts, raised its first US $8M fund, and established offices in Hawaiʻi, Norway, and Singapore. The team has grown to 10 full-time members spread across the globe, who run the three business units of Hatch – the accelerator program, the fund, and their innovation services offering. Hatch’s Hawaiʻi portfolio companies include: Sea Warden, and Kuehnle AgroSystems
Now Hiring
💼Hiring? Respond to this email and we’ll share it out!
Elemental Excelerator: Managing Director of Communications and Marketing
Office of Climate Change and Resilience: Energy Efficiency Specialist
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation: Philanthropic Advisor
Microsoft (Remote): Senior Security Analyst
Bank of Hawaiʻi: Associate Business Analyst (HR)
Alpaca VC: Web3 Investment Analyst
See 40+ other opportunities on our Job Board (beta)
Community Events
ThriveHI Monthly Meetup
On August 10th, we had our first ThriveHI meetup! About 25 folks–primarily remote workers with professions ranging from PMs to Software Engineers– came out to chat, have drinks, and get to know each other better. Our observation: the remote work community in Hawaii is already quite big, and they’re here to stay. In fact, ~90% of attendees planned to be in Hawaii for at least a few years, if not permanently.
COVID has changed the reality of work forever–now is the time for Hawaii to capitalize on this new norm. As an organization, we intend to continue these meetups on a monthly basis as a way for local techies and business folks to meet each other and find community. Look out for updates on when the next meetup will be!
Other Events Happening:
Aug 20: Laulima STEM Symposium
Aug 20: Pre Code School Bootcamp
Aug 24: UH Office of Innovation: HR Pitfalls for the Early Stage Startup
Aug 25: Hawaii Women in Tech Meetup
Aug 29: Maui Techies Meetup
Aug 30: HNL Startup Drinks
📅 Hosting a tech/startup event? Respond to this email and we’ll share it out!
Wouldn't you love to see a Hawaii-focused panel happen at #SXSW2023?
Elemental Excelerator, a Hawaii-based climate-tech accelerator, is hoping to host a panel event at next year’s SXSW titled: Hawaii can help you save the planet, listen up. The Elemental team believes that Hawaii has led the way with climate policy for years, and they want to share how incorporating indigenous knowledge into modern technologies can help the world fight to save the planet.
Take 2 mins to vote for a Hawaii Sustainability panel at SXSW2023!