FACES OF PACE

ABOUT AUSTIN

Austin started his entrepreneurship journey in college by founding a medical device start-up, Manaola Innovations. The team gained traction through PACE but ultimately fell short due to technological limitations. After exiting college, he started working as a consultant at a medical marijuana dispensary, Noa Botanicals. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Shaka Sports.

UPDATE FOR AUSTIN

On April 20, 2026, Anja Health successfully closed its merger with RenuCord Inc. Backed by 776 and YC, Anja is a stem cell banking startup that helps families cord-blood-bank for future medical treatments. Before the deal, the company reached $1.5M+ ARR and built a social audience of 200k+. The exit was led by CEO Austin Yoshino. A Blue Startups (Cohort 13) alum and former UH Mānoa student-founder, Austin joined Anja in 2024, 10x’d their marketing ROI, and stepped up as CEO to guide them through the merger.

Austin is now founding Intaglio, an AI <> GTM startup that has already closed $150k from Character Labs.

Previously, Austin founded Shaka Sports – a software solution that connects broadcasters and youth sports fans. The start-up will disrupt the sports broadcasting industry by significantly reducing production costs and increasing the availability of content for users.

LESSONS THROUGH PACE

If I wrote out everything I learned from PACE it would be 10 pages long. But they we’re the launchpad for my entrepreneurship career and what I learned serve as the core pillars for my business knowledge. Overall though, I think the most valuable lesson was a higher-level understanding of the rationale & analysis required to make business-based decisions, it’s quite different from engineering.

WORDS OF ADVICE

· The best learning lessons are often from mistakes, make them early & often…but never twice.

· Adopt a growth mindset & prepare to conquer steep learning curves. Not being able to do it because you have a lack of experience / training is a great excuse for an employee…not a founder.

· Learn how to make decisions, they’re often non-binary and require complex analysis. Spend time developing life philosophies, they’ll help guide them.

· Work hard but also SMART. Although it’s typical for entrepreneurs to rave about how hard they work, don’t forget to enjoy life. I’ve found that my best ideas are inspired from a glass of Don Julio and good company.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austin.yoshino/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-yoshino/

Connect with him at austin@intaglio.io