Student entrepreneurs network with Hawaiʻi business leaders at inaugural showcase

Products created and produced by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students including non-alcoholic ginger beer, hand-sewn accessories, stickers, air fresheners, baked goods, handmade cosmetics, education STEM kits and an app for skin disease identification were on display at the Walter Dods Jr., RISE Center.

The display was part of the Shidler College of Business Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship’s (PACE) inaugural PACE Founders and Friends Showcase, held at the end of the spring 2024 semester.

More than 70 PACE alumni and members of the center’s network of volunteers had the chance to meet 10 UH student entrepreneurs, who used the time to gather feedback about their ideas and products, and practice selling and networking skills. The showcasing student entrepreneurs represented a variety of disciplines, including molecular biosciences and bioengineering, education, psychology, information technology management, marketing and entrepreneurship.

“It was truly an honor to participate in the event and engage with the attending community,” said student Luphane Bonhomme, who created stickers with wellness messages. “I had the opportunity to connect with numerous partners and presenters. This event marked the debut of my product, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

Donald Fukumoto, an attendee and serial entrepreneur with more than 40 years of career experience said, “The experience of the event was great, more than I expected. The tour and students showcasing their products gave more meaning to the program.”

PACE plans to host a PACE Founders and Friends Showcase every semester.

Goals of the newly-established Founders and Friends program include:

• Connecting PACE alumni with each other and with current students
• Re-engaging alumni with PACE and UH
• Building a network of founders who support each other and mentor the next generation of business creators
• Growing an ecosystem of entrepreneurs who are born at PACE, raised by the community and who become positive contributors to Hawaiʻi’s economy

It’s happening organically, and it’s the right time for us to establish a program that intentionally brings generations together.
— Tracy Taira

PACE aims to bring together generations of students who participated in PACE programs, and those in Hawaiʻi’s startup community who dedicate their time and knowledge to UH‘s startup community. To learn more, visit PACE website.

“After more than 20 years in operation and offering its resources to students, our team is seeing past participants returning to PACE to serve as mentors, judges, speakers and donors to the center,” said PACE Program Manager Tracy Taira. “It’s happening organically, and it’s the right time for us to establish a program that intentionally brings generations together.”