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 Spring 2026 cohort will convene starting January 30 through April 30. Participants are required to attend in-person meetings at the Walter Dods Jr RISE Center on UH Manoa campus. The deadline to apply is December 30, 2025.
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 Spring 2026 cohort will convene starting January 30 through April 30. Participants are required to attend in-person meetings at the Walter Dods Jr RISE Center on UH Manoa campus. The deadline to apply is December 30, 2025.
PROGRAM DETAILS AND REQUIREMENTS
Why be a PACE Entrepreneur?
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Receive customized mentorship
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Build a new venture alongside and with the support of other student founders
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Included in special invitation lists for PACE events and entrepreneurial community events
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Invited to industry meetings and conferences, including Hawaii Angels and East Meets West
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Special access to PACE’s network of business professionals, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and investors
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Showcased at prominent PACE and Shidler College of Business events
Additional benefits, dependent on student’s performance and program’s budget:
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The top-performing entrepreneurs receive achievement awards.
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Receive seed funding to assist with startup expenses.
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Represent the University of Hawai’i at competitions and exhibitor shows outside Hawai’i
Who’s Eligible?
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Student must have a creative perspective and passion for entrepreneurship
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Student must have a desire to learn more about the entrepreneurial process
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Student must be able to contribute positively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary group
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Student must have a desire to start their own business and/or contribute to a startup team
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Applicants must be current, classified University of Hawaii students
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Student may be from any University of Hawai’i campus
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Student may be in any field and at any level of study
What’s the process?
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Students must apply by filling out the online application.
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A selection committee will select students to go through an in-person interview.
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Selected students will be given further instructions, including expectations and requirements.
What are the requirements?
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Attend mandatory meetings, scheduled by PACE
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Meet with assigned mentors at least one hour each month
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Cooperate with PACE staff to provide marketing content for the program
“This program has allowed me to challenge myself to reach my potential that I didn’t realize I had and allowed me to expand on many opportunities to grow my business. I really enjoyed my mentor and appreciated the individual and collective support I received from the team. They helped me to identify areas where I needed to improve my business and areas my business had potential.”
~ Jazlen Lucas
“This program was a welcoming surprise that made my last ever semester all the more special.”
~ Jonavan Gonzalez
“When I first joined PACE Entrepreneurs, I didn’t expect to make as much progress as I did. The instructors and mentors were incredibly supportive, and I got to meet amazing people who were passionate about their ideas. Seeing how much progress they made throughout the program inspired and motivated me to keep pushing myself further.”
~ Andrea Murillo Martinez
“The PACE team are a bunch of sharp and caring individuals who can provide you with all the knowledge you need to better yourself and start your own business, while helping you discover the drive behind your WHY of starting one.”
~ Nevan-Isaiah Pak
“PACE gave us the tools, mentorship, and community we needed to turn our startup idea into something real and impactful.”
~ Lionel Derrick Roxas
PAST COHORTS
phone: (808) 956-5083
fax: (808) 956-5107
email: pace@hawaii.edu
phone: (808) 956-5083
fax: (808) 956-5107
email: pace@hawaii.edu
University of Hawaiʻi
An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution.
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