A STUDENT-RUN VENTURE CAPITAL FUND FOR EARLY-STAGE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I-AFFILIATED COMPANIES
Who we are
We are the Calvin Shindo Student Venture Fund, and our purpose is to offer pre-seed investments to students and alumni from all 10 community colleges and universities within the University of Hawai‘i System. Managed by a diverse group of UH students, the goal of our fund is to provide founders with the support they need to boost their companies to the next level while also nurturing the next generation of investors.
Our Impact
Our fund has a total of $125,000 in available funding, with individual investments of up to $5,000. We allocate up to $25,000 per year to deserving ventures. See below for companies in our current portfolio.
Our Mission
We’re more than just a source of financial support. Whether you’re in the early stages of fundraising or looking to build your track record as an investor, our team is here to guide students through the venture finance process. We provide educational opportunities, and access to a diverse network of investors and local accelerators, helping students forge valuable connections.
The investment process is overseen by a Fund Board composed of experienced investors, ensuring that student leaders manage the fund wisely and responsibly.
This program is made possible by the generous gift of Dustin Shindo and named in honor of his father, Calvin. Read press release.
INVESTMENTS
The Calvin Shindo Student Venture Fund makes investments in UH-affiliated companies. Funding will be in exchange for equity positions within the respective companies, subject to the regulations of law and such reasonable limitations as may be imposed by the UH Foundation. A member of the venture’s founding team must include one of the following:
- Full-time or part-time, undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in a degree-seeking program in any of the 10 community colleges and universities within the University of Hawai‘i System. Recipients must provide proof of enrollment.
- Alumnus (within 5 years of graduation) of any of the 10 community colleges and universities within the UH System.
- Student or faculty licensee of UH technology.
UH faculty-run ventures are also eligible to submit an application, as long as the student and alumni team members meet the preceding criteria.
Investments of up to $5,000 are available per venture. Ventures must intend to generate profit. In total, up to $25,000 per year will be awarded from the Fund.
Any investment returns are reinvested in the fund.
- Complete the application form
- The screening committee contacts applicants and performs due diligence
- The screening committee presents their recommendations to the Fund Board
- The Fund Board approves/declines the recommendation
- The screening committee notifies applicants of investment status
- The Calvin Shindo Student Venture Fund, represented by the UH Foundation, makes the investment
- The company joins the Calvin Shindo Student Venture Fund portfolio
- The company is responsible for completing quarterly reports and maintaining open communication as would be expected in any equity investment.
SCREENING COMMITTEE
The Screening Committee is made up of UH students from various backgrounds and skill sets who are deeply passionate in early-stage investing; interacting with startups and venture capitalists; and learning how to identify and help build promising young companies. Join the team today!
Serving on the committee is a transformative learning experience. Students gain leadership, analytical and interpersonal skills as they make scrupulous investment decisions, negotiate, and structure transactions, all closely mimicking the real world.
The screening committee is overseen by a Fund Board made up of advisors who are veteran private equity, venture capital, or institutional fund investors, and PACE staff.
Prior experience in entrepreneurship or finance is not required to join the committee.
The screening committee has responsibilities over the entire portfolio management process including:
- Actively look for entrepreneurs seeking pre-seed funds to turn big ideas into exceptional companies
- Screen applications rigorously
- Conduct appropriate due diligence on student venture investment opportunities
- Negotiate and structure seed investments in UH ventures
- Manage and track quarterly progress of investment portfolio
Applications are open to undergraduate and graduate students.
The Calvin Shindo Student Venture Fund is part of the overall PACE Leaders program. Scholarships are available for student leaders. Students looking to apply should visit the PACE Leaders page.
In addition to attending regularly scheduled meetings, committee members will 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. Students who fail to fulfill their responsibilities may be removed at any time.
- 2 Co-Directors
- 10 Associates
The student Co-Directors team up as the executive leadership of the screening committee. Together, they manage the entire investment process guiding the committee to make thoughtful investments and manage the portfolio wisely. The co-directors report to and submit their recommendations to the Fund Board for review and final approval. Co-directors onboard a team of associates, who will learn the leadership, strategic planning, management, accountability, and delegation skills necessary to carry out their responsibilities. Student co-directors will learn how to manage to ensure that the Fund is successful and that the committee members have a positive and rewarding experience.
Term: Summer 2023 to Spring 2024
Student Associates are core to the entire investment process. Associates report to the co-directors, and contribute to key efforts including marketing, research, screening, due diligence, negotiations, investment structure and portfolio management. Associates have the opportunity to learn specific skill sets and what it takes to be a high-performance team member. Associates are selected by the co-directors with input from PACE.
Term: Summer 2023 to Summer 2024
MEET OUR FUND BOARD
phone: (808) 956-5083
fax: (808) 956-5107
email: pace@hawaii.edu
phone: (808) 956-5083
fax: (808) 956-5107
email: pace@hawaii.edu
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