{"id":40473,"date":"2015-11-12T10:34:31","date_gmt":"2015-11-12T20:34:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=40473"},"modified":"2021-06-23T15:18:01","modified_gmt":"2021-06-24T01:18:01","slug":"uh-accelerator-announces-finalists-for-third-cohort","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2015\/11\/12\/uh-accelerator-announces-finalists-for-third-cohort\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> accelerator announces finalists for third cohort"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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XLR8Â鶹´«Ã½Cohort 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Seven teams have been selected as finalists for the third cohort of the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> XLR8UH<\/a> proof of concept center\/venture accelerator. The innovative research represented includes potential solutions in the areas of algorithms, desalinization, structures, travel, language and culture. The teams have the potential to receive between $25,000 to $50,000 for completing the program and up to $100,000 in follow on funding. <\/p>\n

XLR8Â鶹´«Ã½is a first of its kind proof of concept center\/venture accelerator developed by the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span><\/a> and Sultan Ventures<\/a>, a boutique venture firm that manages it. The proof of concept center educates, mentors and invests in UH<\/abbr> research and talent, ranging from students to post docs, faculty and alumni. It is one of the first public university investment programs in the nation, revolutionizing the way innovation and research is commercialized. <\/p>\n

“XLR8Â鶹´«Ã½continues to lay a solid foundation for the expansion of our entrepreneurial ecosystem at UH<\/abbr>,” said Vassilis L. Syrmos<\/strong>, UH<\/abbr> vice president for research and innovation<\/a>. “The program is a key component to the successful commercialization of our research and to success of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Innovation Initiative.” <\/p>\n

The teams are currently in the first phase XLR8UH’s intensive 16-week mentorship and investment program, where they will be assessing and developing their business models. Teams selected to advance on to the second phase will immerse themselves into further business development efforts and in the third phase, they will develop and practice their pitch to investors. Throughout the entire program, the teams will have access to valuable mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors. <\/p>\n

“We are very pleased with the diversity of our teams and the size of problems they are tackling,” said Omar Sultan, managing director of XLR8UH. “These teams have the real potential to produce substantial companies.” <\/p>\n

XLR8Â鶹´«Ã½cohort 3 finalists<\/h2>\n