{"id":46604,"date":"2016-06-02T12:57:05","date_gmt":"2016-06-02T22:57:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=46604"},"modified":"2019-02-07T11:33:34","modified_gmt":"2019-02-07T21:33:34","slug":"startup-venture-accelerator-xlr8uh-announces-fourth-cohort","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2016\/06\/02\/startup-venture-accelerator-xlr8uh-announces-fourth-cohort\/","title":{"rendered":"Startup venture accelerator XLR8UH<\/abbr> announces fourth cohort"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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XLR8UH<\/abbr> cohort 4 members have access to valuable mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> selected 12 teams as finalists for the fourth cohort of its XLR8UH<\/abbr><\/a> startup venture accelerator. The pioneering enterprises in this round include: paddleboards for the disabled, organic cookies using locally sourced ingredients, an app for concussion patients and an online platform for students to search for scholarships. These teams have the potential to receive $25,000 to $50,000 for completing the program and up to $100,000 in follow-on funding. XLR8UH<\/abbr> is a partnership between UH<\/abbr> and Sultan Ventures<\/a>, which provides their startup investment expertise to the program.<\/p>\n

“XLR8UH<\/abbr> is integral for the continued growth and development of our entrepreneurial community,” said Vassilis L. Syrmos<\/a><\/strong>, UH<\/abbr> vice president for research and innovation. “This program, a key component of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Innovation Initiative<\/a>, supports some of the most forward-thinking, globally relevant, yet locally resonant companies in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>.”<\/p>\n

The teams are currently in the first phase of XLR8UH<\/abbr>’s intensive 15-week mentorship and investment program, where they will be assessing and developing their business models. Teams selected to advance 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

“With this cohort we are complementing our focus on tech-based startups with more product-based companies than in previous sessions,” said Meli James<\/strong>, program director of XLR8UH<\/abbr>. “We feel these are potential high-growth opportunities leveraging Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>’s brand equity.” <\/p>\n

XLR8UH<\/abbr> Cohort 4<\/h2>\n