PACE ENTREPRENEURS

Home » PACE Entrepreneurs

PACE ENTREPRENEURS IS A COHORT OF STUDENTS WHO ARE FOCUSED ON BUILDING AND LAUNCHING A NEW VENTURE.

The mission of PACE Entrepreneurs is to foster and support promising entrepreneurs. The program is open to students who are actively building their product, service or company. Entrepreneurs are supported with essential resources necessary to execute on their vision, including funding, mentorship, an opportunity to learn from cohort mates, and more!

The application period is now closed.

PACE ENTREPRENEURS IS A COHORT OF STUDENTS WHO ARE FOCUSED ON BUILDING AND LAUNCHING A NEW VENTURE.

The mission of PACE Entrepreneurs is to foster and support promising entrepreneurs. The program is open to students who are actively building their product, service or company. Entrepreneurs are supported with essential resources necessary to execute on their vision, including funding, mentorship, an opportunity to learn from cohort mates, and more!

The application period is now closed.

“PACE’s PE program was incredibly beneficial for me as an aspiring entrepreneur. The focused discussions with my fellow PEs and networking opportunities opened new doors and guided me down the right path with my company.”

~ Larry Martin, MS, Electrical Engineering

“I was very fotunate to be a part of the PE program this past year. Coming from a business background, I had assumed I knew everything about entrepreneurship. However, I was totally wrong. In fact, I knew nothing! Through the program, our group had direct access to various prominent business leaders and entrepreneurs – each sharing their wealth of knowledge and personal expertise. This valuable experience alone, allowed us to learn everything from initial startup to exit strategies. Most importantly, we can now call our advisor, our Mentor. Personally, she taught me that a true entrepreneur does not stay on the sideline. With her encouragement and support, I am no longer watching but actively pursuing all my startup ideas.”

~ Tuan La, JD/MBA

“I really enjoyed the PE program since it gave me the opportunity to interact and learn from students outside my major who share the same interest in entrepreneurship as I do. Coming together as a cohort allowed us to help each other work through the different problems each of us were facing in launching or growing our businesses.”

~ Monica Umeda, MS, Electrical Engineering

PROGRAM DETAILS AND REQUIREMENTS

Why be a PACE Entrepreneur?
  • Receive customized mentorship from a dedicated mentor.
  • The top-performing entrepreneurs will receive cash awards.
  • Included in special invitation lists for PACE events and entrepreneurial community events
  • Invited to industry meetings and conferences, including Hawaii Angels and East Meets West
  • Special access to PACE’s network of business professionals, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and investors
  • Showcased at prominent PACE and Shidler College of Business events
  • Automatic qualification to the UH Venture Competition semi-final round (must meet the eligibility criteria of the competition)
Additional benefits, dependent on student’s performance and program’s budget:
  • Receive startup funding
  • Awarded a Certificate of Achievement
  • Represent the University of Hawai’i at competitions and exhibitor shows outside Hawai’i
Who’s Eligible?
  • Student must have a creative perspective and passion for entrepreneurship
  • Student must have a desire to learn more about the entrepreneurial process
  • Student must be able to contribute positively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary group
  • Student must have a desire to start their own business and/or contribute to a startup team
  • Applicants must be current, classified University of Hawaii students
  • Student may be from any University of Hawai’i campus
  • Student may be in any field and at any level of study
What’s the process?
  1. Students must apply by filling out the online application.
  2. A selection committee will select students to go through an in-person interview.
  3. Selected students will be given further instructions, including expectations and requirements.
What are the requirements?
  • Attend mandatory meetings, scheduled by PACE
  • Meet with assigned mentors at least one hour each month
  • Cooperate with PACE staff to provide marketing content for the program

PAST COHORTS

2016-2017 COHORT 6

LT – RT: Ame Arakaki (MEng); Robert Saito (MBA); Derek Woodruff (MBA); Mahrukh Khawaja (MBBE); Michael Gallagher (MBA)

2015-2016 COHORT 5

LT – RT: Assaf Karmon, MBA Candidate; Keola Kaluhiokalani, MBA candidate); Somia Quan, MBA candidate; Trevor Oishi, MBA candidate; Susan Yamada, PACE Executive Director; and Bronson Edralin, Electical Engineering Master’s

2014-2015 COHORT 4

LT – RT: Monica Umeda (2013-14 cohort), Letizia de Lannoy (MBA), Rachel Sokugawa (MBA), Kyle Aquino (MBA), Harley Cumming (Electrical Engineering Master’s), Joey Reyes (MBA)

2013-2014 COHORT 3

LT – RT: John Hirano (Electrical Engineering PhD), Monica Umeda (Electrical Engineering Master’s), Tuan La (JD/MBA), Susan Yamada (PACE Director), Opi Giandomenico (MBA), Larry Martin (Electrical Engineering Master’s)

2012-2013 COHORT 2

LT to RT, back row: Vance Roley (Shidler College of Business Dean), David Yarber (JD ’13), Brendan Mulligan (MBA candidate), Matthew Melloy (MBA candidate), Andy Landgraf (MBA candidate) and Scott Lukas (Natural Sciences PhD candidate) LT to RT, front row: Susan Yamada (PACE Executive Director) and Katy Gassaway (JD ’13)

2011-2012 COHORT 1

LT – RT: Vance Roley (Shidler College of Business Dean), Ben Trevino (MBA), Elyse Petersen (MBA), Brent Kakesako (JD/MBA), Justin Carland (Electrical Engineering Master’s), Susan Yamada (PACE Director)
PACE logo@2x
phone: (808) 956-5083
fax: (808) 956-5107
email: pace@hawaii.edu
Best Colleges - U.S. News & World Report logo and AACSB Accredited Logo
1c82a77e db9a 40b6 9e74 abd7c00169ca
PACE logo@2x
phone: (808) 956-5083
fax: (808) 956-5107
email: pace@hawaii.edu
Best Colleges - U.S. News & World Report logo and AACSB Accredited Logo
uhm logo@2x
University of Hawaiʻi
An Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Institution.
© 2020 Shidler College of Business. All rights reserved.
2404 Maile Way, Room E-402, Honolulu, HI 96822
Website by Blue Logic Labs
Intranet • Credits
uhm logo@2x
University of Hawaiʻi
An Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Institution.
© 2020 Shidler College of Business. All rights reserved.
Website by Blue Logic Labs
2404 Maile Way, Room E-402, Honolulu, HI 96822
Intranet • Credits