Programs

HTDC programs are helping to meet the 80/80 Initiative goal to create 80,000 new tech and innovation jobs earning $80,000 or more in Hawaii by 2030. Our programs serve all facets of the tech and innovation sectors through developing places where people come together to create, providing funding and mentoring for the most promising companies and helping employers gain access to Hawaii’s brightest talent.

The Entrepreneurs Sandbox is a community center for innovators of all ages. It encourages creativity, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. The facility is approximately 13,500 square feet and features a collaboration and event area ideal for town hall meetings and community gatherings, digital media studio, coworking space, meeting rooms, and a few small offices. It will host a variety of educational programs and activities for all ages. Entrepreneurs Sandbox is located at 643 Ilalo Street, Honolulu HI 96813.

Visit the Entrepreneurs Sandbox official website for details & rates on co-work membership, event space and conference room rentals.

Applications for the Sandbox office space waitlist available HERE.

OFFICE RENTAL DETAILS

TYPE OF COMPANIES FOR SANDBOX:
Tech/innovation, startups and companies (Service Providers) that can offer support to clients of the Sandbox.

NUMBER AND SIZE OF OFFICES:
Nine (9) offices, 200sqft est. each
Companies selected may only rent one (1) office.

RENTAL RATES:
Qualified Startup – Starting at $800/month
Qualified Service Providers – Starting at $1,100/month
Market Rate – $1,500/month

FEATURES:
a) 24 hour access to office
b) *Furnished Office – (three desks, three chairs)
c) *Eight (8) hours of conference room time per month (in any of the 3 conference rooms). Hours exceed to be charged an hourly fee at the Member rate.
d) Internet access
e) Weekday cleaning service
f) Access to 2nd floor breakroom and kitchen
g) Use event space (collaboration and cowork area) – to be provided at a Member rate
i) General hours of operation for Sandbox: M-F 8am-4:30pm w/ on-site support
j) A/C hours will be aligned with general hours of operation.

k) General mail service
l)  Parking can be made available for a monthly fee with the Sandbox Mgt Office.

Offerings may be subject to change.

The Making of Entrepreneurs Sandbox – Construction Time-Lapse Video – May ~ Jul 2018

Entrepreneurs Sandbox Ground Breaking Ceremony

The Making of Entrepreneurs Sandbox

TRUE is an initiative of the Hawaii Executive Collaborative, supporting the CHANGE Framework and Movement.

Driven by a partnership between the private, public sectors and the State of Hawaii, TRUE aims to tech-enable organizations through collaboration and sharing of tech solutions to common business challenges.

Many organizations in Hawaii, from large enterprises to small-medium businesses, are slow to adopt new technologies. However, we create more opportunities to grow the tech economy and workforce by being proactive in incorporating the use of technology in our organizations. A 2017 report from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)  found that tech-enabled jobs earn over 40% more than non-tech-enabled jobs.

Through the TRUE Initiative, we believe that as we increase the local demand for more tech talent, we can create jobs and opportunities with higher wage-earning capacity, and simultaneously, reverse the brain drain from Hawaii. In turn, with the efficiencies derived from technology enablement, our organizations can then devote resources to innovation.

Join us to tech-enable Hawaii, grow our innovation economy and keep our talent
to help Hawaii thrive.

Learn how you can be part of the TRUE Initiative

The Digital Currency Innovation Lab is a pilot program by the State of Hawaii. The program allows digital currency issuers to do business in Hawaii without obtaining a state money transmitter license.

In partnership with the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions (DFI), this program is expected to:

* Create economic opportunities for Hawaii through early adoption of digital currency
* Offer consumer protection by providing guidance to issuers of digital currency
* Provide data to shape legislation supporting digital currency

The Digital Currency Innovation Lab will position Hawaii at the forefront of financial technology innovation and spur technology-based economic development in the State.

Program Details

The Digital Currency Innovation Lab will start accepting applications from March 17 – May 1, 2020.
(See “Application & Admission” section for details on the application process)

Given the uncertainty around COVID-19, the commencement date of the program is TBD.

Upon acceptance into the program, the participating company will be given 2 years to engage in digital currency transactions. DFI has issued a “no action message” – stating that “no action” will be taken against companies conducting what DFI would consider unlicensed money transmission activity, if they have been successfully admitted into the program. DFI will monitor all digital currency transactions taking place in the Digital Currency Innovation Lab.

Participating companies are expected to adhere to the terms and conditions of the Digital Currency Innovation Lab. For details on the terms and conditions, read our FAQs for Companies.

Application & Admission

Application
Companies interested in participating in the Digital Currency Innovation Lab must apply and be accepted into the program. Prior to applying online, the applicant should:

* Review a sample copy of the application form**
* Review the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

**Note: There are 4 versions of Page 3 in the sample form. The financial information (financial statements) required differs depending on the type of entity the applicant is, i.e. corporation, subsidiary, non-corporation. Please review and prepare the documents needed accordingly.

*UPDATE: Changes to Fees*
Upon submission of your application, there will be an upfront payment of $1,500
($500 non-refundable application fee + $1,000 for term 1 of participation**)
Once the application is received, an email with a link to the epayment portal will be sent to the Applicant.

Please note that the application fee will not be refunded should the Applicant:

a) Be rejected from admission into the program**; or
b) Upon successful admission, withdraw from participating in the program at any time.

** If the company’s application is rejected, the $1,000 paid for term 1 of participation will be refunded.

Completed applications will be reviewed by the State  and companies will be notified on the status of their applications.

Questions?

Contact us at fintech@htdc.org

For FAQs pertaining to Participating Companies, click here.

For FAQs pertaining to Participants from the Public, click here.

Disclaimers

1. No acceptance of application shall be perceived as, or constitute any endorsement of an applicant. No denial shall be perceived as, nor constitute any repudiation of an applicant. Applications which have potentially predatory, unfair, or deceptive features, pose undue risks to consumers, or institutions, or are inconsistent with the policies of this program, will not be permitted into the program. HTDC does not approve, endorse, nor prioritize any particular applicant within this program.

2. Application approval is at HTDC’s discretion. Applicants do not have any rights or privileges. HTDC has the full discretion to accept or reject applications and there is no right to due process in this program. There is no contested case or appeals process, and no contractual rights or contractual remedies.

3. HTDC has the authority to suspend, revoke, and/or terminate any application or participation in the program on any, or even no, basis. No explanation is required. HTDC is not subject to any prior precedent, reliance, or guarantee.

4. Data, Privacy, Confidentiality and Limitation of Liability. This application form is provided for government-authorized use only. Unauthorized or improper use of the system the application form resides on may result in civil and criminal penalties. By submitting this application form, the PARTICIPANT understands and consents to the following:

A) The PARTICIPANT has no reasonable expectation of privacy regarding any communications or data transiting or stored on this information system; and is hereby notified that any information provided could become publicly available data.

B) HTDC is a government entity and subject to applicable Freedom of Information Act and Uniform Information Practices Act provisions. Therefore, it might be required to disclose documents if requested; and it may disclose information to other government agencies, as provided by law. However, any documents or data made or received by any member or employee of the corporation shall not be a public record to the extent that the material or data: (1) Consists of trade secrets; (2) Consists of commercial or financial information regarding the operation of any business conducted by the applicant for, or recipient of, any form of assistance HTDC is empowered to render; or (3) Relates to the competitive position of that applicant in a particular field of endeavor.

C) Limitation on Liability. Chapters 661, HRS, or any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, the PARTICIPANT does not have any obligation, debt, claim, cause of action, claim for relief, charge, or any liability of any kind whatsoever in favor or any person or entity, against the State, HTDC, its board members, or its officers or employees, without regard to whether that person or entity receives any benefits under this chapter. The State, HTDC, and its officers and employees shall not be liable for the results of any investment, purchase of securities, loan, transaction or other assistance provided pursuant to HTDC’s actions.