Blue Startups
| Industry | Venture capital, Business incubator, Startup accelerator |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Henk Rogers, Maya Rogers, Chenoa Farnsworth |
| Headquarters | Honolulu , United States |
Area served | Hawaii, Silicon Valley, Asia |
Key people | Chenoa Farnsworth (Managing Partner) |
| Products | Startup accelerator programs, seed investment, mentorship |
| Website | www |
Blue Startups is a venture accelerator located in Hawaii, established in 2012 by Henk Rogers, Maya Rogers, and Chenoa Farnsworth with the goal of fostering startup development and strengthening the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. The organization benefits from a network exceeding 120 mentors drawn from Hawaii, Silicon Valley, and Asia, providing extensive support for business expansion.
The accelerator conducts an annual cohort program aimed at technology startups that are capital-efficient and scalable, focusing on sectors such as Internet, software, mobile, gaming, and e-commerce. Participating startups receive an initial investment of $25,000, comprehensive training, and workspace in exchange for equity ranging between 3% and 10%. Blue Startups has the capacity to invest up to $300,000 per individual company.
History
On September 1, 2012, Blue Startups was created by Henk Rogers, Maya Rogers, and Chenoa Farnsworth to equip Hawaiian startups with necessary resources and guidance. Farnsworth assumed the role of Managing Partner in 2013. The accelerator's mentorship team includes prominent figures like Henk Rogers—renowned for his involvement with Tetris in the video game industry—as well as specialists such as Don Dodge and Marvin Liao.
The organization has organized various events designed to link investors from Silicon Valley and Asia with local startup ventures. Notable activities include a digital lifestyle conference held in 2014 and participation in Hawaii’s yearly technology fair.
Financially, Blue Startups started with $200,000 provided by state funds and has since obtained an additional $1.7 million from the Hawaiian government. These public funds have been effectively doubled through matching private investments. The funding originates from the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation’s Launch Akamai Venture Accelerator initiative.
Cohort program
Blue Startups offers a biannual cohort program dedicated to nurturing capital-efficient technology enterprises capable of scaling within Internet, software, mobile, gaming, and e-commerce industries. The intensive three-month program primarily takes place on Oahu in Hawaii, followed by a one-week session in Silicon Valley. Each cohort admits up to 10 startups, granting seed capital of $25,000 alongside office facilities, entrepreneurial education, and individualized mentorship. In return, Blue Startups acquires equity stakes ranging from 3% to 10%. Eligible applicants must be registered as C corporations with between two and four founders committed to working onsite in Honolulu for at least five hours daily throughout the program duration.
Since its inaugural cohort in 2012—which chose seven companies out of more than 100 applicants—Blue Startups has supported successful alumni such as AreaMetrics, Benja Commerce Network, FloWater, Leet, Sagely, Selly Automotive, and Volta.
Recognition
In Tech Crunch's 2015 ranking of startup accelerators, Blue Startups was placed 17th and also featured among the top 20 U.S. accelerators according to The Seed Accelerator Rankings Project. The accelerator is acknowledged for its role in advancing Hawaii’s entrepreneurial landscape and provides services valued at over $500,000. Industry experts commend Blue Startups for its robust business framework and nurturing environment.
By mid-2014, companies from the first three cohorts had collectively secured more than $6 million in investment funding. Prominent investors including Arben Kryeziu have demonstrated strong commitment to financing Blue Startups’ alumni companies, enhancing its competitive position and impact on Hawaii’s startup ecosystem growth.