Three Businesses ‘Hatch’ from Incubator Program

Manoa Innovation Center

Three more companies have recently graduated from the High Technology Development Corporation’s  business Incubator Program at the Mānoa Innovation Center.

HTDC is a state agency that promotes and supports innovation and technology business startups.

These three firms have now moved out of the MIC into their own headquarters, where they will continue to develop and grow.

The graduating companies are:

The Collective, a startup created by Hawai‘i fashion designers Allison Izu Song and Summer Shiigi, which helps independent designers use technology to streamline manufacturing and develop ways to provide high quality, locally produced clothes to consumers. The Collective has helped launch a number of Hawai‘i designers and has managed DBEDT’s Creative Industries inaugural Creative Lab Fashion Immersive. The Collective recently expanded their operations to Ward Village with retail space.

MeetingSift, a “meeting collaboration platform” that uses technology to bring meeting attendees closer and encourage participation, no matter where they may be in the world. MeetingSift’s products make meetings more efficient, allowing participants to use their smartphones to provide real-time feedback and communication, keep track of minutes, and provide more focus to discussion topics. The company is moving closer to its investors.

Slickage Studios, a Honolulu-based company specializing in creating full-stack software solutions, including customized website backend development, web applications and native mobile apps. Downtown Honolulu is their new home, where they will be closer to their clients.

“We are happy to partner with the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i to host this celebration, which honors the three graduating companies from the Mānoa Innovation Center,” said Luis P. Salaveria, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which oversees HTDC and promotes the state’s innovation economy. “MIC’s mission to accelerate the growth of local tech companies by providing business development services, funding, and training are part of the state’s overall growth strategy to build a strong innovation economy.”

“It’s always an honor to see companies graduate from our incubation program,” said Robbie Melton, executive director and CEO of HTDC. “The creativity and innovation that propelled these startups from dreams to functioning business entities will ensure they will make their mark in the marketplace, no matter their field. Birthing a startup takes immense drive, talent and perseverance, and we congratulate the principals of all three companies for moving on to the next step.”

The three companies graduated at a ceremony during HTDC’s Wetware on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, a monthly networking event for the innovation and technology industry. The Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i sponsored the graduation celebration.

“We are grateful to HTDC for the support and guidance,” said Allison Izu Song. “In today’s fast-paced society, it’s nice to find an organization that sees the potential in small businesses, and offers the tools and guidance to learn and grow. We are especially thankful for the guidance and mentorship from Innovate Hawaii’s Wayne Inouye and HTDC’s, Len Higashi. Their doors were always open for us to talk about our issues, roadblocks, ideas and successes!”