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Blue Startups

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Blue Startups
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Blue Startups is a venture accelerator based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States. Founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Henk Rogers, Maya Rogers, and venture capitalist Chenoa Farnsworth, the accelerator supports early-stage technology companies with mentorship, investment, and access to global networks.[1] It is frequently cited as one of the "Top 20 Accelerators in the U.S.".[2]

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History

Blue Startups was launched in 2012 to help diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy beyond tourism and defense.[3] Henk Rogers, best known for bringing Tetris to Nintendo, teamed with Chenoa Farnsworth, a longtime investor in Hawaiʻi, and Maya Rogers to create the accelerator.[1]

The accelerator has been recognized in TechCrunch accelerator rankings and receives public-private support from the State of Hawaiʻi through the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation.[2]

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Program

Blue Startups runs a cohort program of 12 weeks for up to 10 companies per session.[1] Founders receive seed funding, co-working space, mentorship, investor introductions, and access to a network of more than 250 mentors across Asia and the U.S.[1]

Each cohort culminates in Demo Days in Honolulu and Silicon Valley, where startups pitch to investors.[1] The accelerator also runs cultural immersion activities, workshops, and investor mixers.[3]

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Focus

The accelerator is sector-agnostic but emphasizes:

  • Software and internet companies
  • Travel and tourism technology
  • Gaming and creative media
  • Startups expanding between Asia and the United States

Blue Startups has a goal of 50% gender diversity in its cohorts.[3]

Notable alumni

Since its founding, Blue Startups has invested in dozens of companies. Notable alumni include:

  • Volta Charging, an electric vehicle charging company that went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021.[4][5]
  • Flowater, water refill stations with advanced purification.[6]
  • dataplor, the leading provider of global location intelligence.[7]
  • Instant Teams, a staffing platform for military spouses.[8]

Collectively, portfolio companies have raised more than US$500 million in follow-on funding.[1]

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Events and community

Blue Startups hosts the annual East Meets West Conference, launched in 2015, which brings together investors and entrepreneurs from Asia, Hawaiʻi, and North America.[1] It also participates in Honolulu Tech Week and organizes local mentorship and networking events.[9]

Leadership

  • Chenoa Farnsworth – Co-founder and Managing Partner, venture capitalist.[3]
  • Henk Rogers – Co-founder, entrepreneur, and clean energy advocate.[1]
  • Maya Rogers – Co-founder, CEO at the Tetris Company.[1]

References

External links

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