PACE LEADERS

CALVIN SHINDO STUDENT VENTURE FUND

The Calvin Shindo Student Venture Fund is a student-run venture capital fund for early-stage UH-affiliated companies. The goal of the program is 1) to enrich student learning by providing a hands-on opportunity to learn the venture capital process and startup finance, and 2) to nurture high potential, early-stage ventures. The student leaders have responsibilities over the entire portfolio management process. In addition to attending regularly scheduled meetings, student leaders spend considerable time marketing, identifying, qualifying, and recommending investments, as well as following-up with existing portfolio companies. Since the Fund is a transaction-based program, committee members should be aware that there may be times of intense activity and that they will be expected to work within tight deadlines, including evenings and weekends. Learn more about the venture fund here.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP LIVE

Entrepreneurship Live is a speaker series that invites founders and company executives to discuss their entrepreneurial journey with University of Hawai‘i students. Each event features individuals who educate and inspire students by sharing their real-world challenges and triumphs, and range of emotional experiences in running a business. Each talk is followed by Q&A and a networking session. The PACE Leaders’ responsibilities in this program include brainstorming, coordinating speakers, marketing, arranging logistics for the event, executing the event, encouraging mingling during the networking session, and collecting feedback for continuous improvement. A minimum of six events are held per calendar year. Learn more here.

MAKER PROGRAM

The goal of the Maker Program is to help students learn how to safely use the various equipment and tools in the maker spaces and recording studio so that they may create their first prototype at PACE. The Leaders in the Maker program are responsible for providing learning opportunities for their peers through regularly scheduled make-and-take workshops that familiarize participants with specialized tools while creating something useful. In addition to coordinating workshops, the Leaders are responsible for lab monitoring, providing access to tools, coordinating safety training, coordinating advanced prototype training, managing the supplies budget, managing the inventory of small tools, encouraging development of STEM skills, and encouraging collaboration among students. A minimum of nine make-and-take workshops are held in a calendar year.

PACE AMBASSADORS

The PACE Ambassadors Program is a student-led initiative to grow a network of entrepreneurial-minded students throughout the UH System. Students in this program are the “faces” of the Center. Ambassadors participate in activities that market and promote PACE to the UH community and beyond. Ambassadors are responsible for creating an inviting atmosphere at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center and facilitating networking between those who are looking to collaborate on a project. Ambassador activities may include front desk hours, informational tabling, classroom presentations, speeches, tours, open house, digital content development, high school visits, outreach programs, and representing PACE as a student ambassador when called upon. Ambassadors also host a minimum of nine interactive events (within a calendar year) that help their peers make meaningful connections that can lead to potential startups, business partnerships and interdisciplinary teams.

KALO GRANTS

Kalo Grants is a program that provides UH students with the opportunity to apply for seed funding of $500 or $1,000. Those who apply for $1,000 must pitch in front of a live audience. PACE Leaders in this highly-engaging program are responsible for managing the entire program which includes marketing, reviewing applications, coordinating live pitch events, coaching, distributing funds, and monitoring the recipients’ progress. A minimum of eight funding rounds and pitch events are held in a calendar year.

LEVEL UP WORKSHOPS

The Level Up workshops is a series of interactive events that provide students with the opportunity to gain skills, learn about a variety of topics, and expand their networks. Workshop topics may include design thinking, public speaking, product design, managing a team, startup legal issues, corporate formation, branding/marketing, web basics, sustainability, financial literacy, social impact investing, pitching, etc. The Leaders in this program are responsible for executing impactful and timely workshops that meet the evolving needs of their peers. The Leaders’ responsibilities include brainstorming, coordinating speakers, marketing, arranging logistics for the event, executing the workshop, and collecting feedback for continuous improvement. A minimum of nine events are held in a calendar year.