The Purple Prize, an innovation competition that brings together people across sectors to build technology solutions that create value for land and people, will begin accepting applications for its upcoming Spring 2020 cohort tomorrow.
It’s the fourth Purple Prize program since its launch in 2016. To date, the Purple Prize has worked with over 40 teams and awarded over $200,000 to those with the highest potential to amplify community and regenerate Hawaii’s ecosystems.
Applications will be accepted beginning Tuesday, February 11, through Saturday, March 28, 2020.
The program itself runs for six months, from April to September, and is an intensive program with a highly focused environment that encourages collaboration and creativity, with the necessary education for startup businesses.
The Purple Prize empowers Kanaka Maoli and kamaʻāina to create impactful technology startups that are rooted in Hawaiian values. The hope is to draw excellent teams working on technology-driven products and solutions that positively impact the pae ʻāina.
Criteria:
- ROOTED IN PLACE: Companies are grounded in the local cultural history and physical environment.
- EXCELLENCE: The team is comprised of what we call “outlier individuals” who are highly motivated, ambitious, bold, values-based, and genuinely pono.
- IMPACT POSITIVE: Technologies and companies in the Purple Prize create net positive community and environmental impacts.
- TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED: All products must leverage hardware, software, algorithms, and/or platform technologies.
Teams receive:
- 1-on-1 meeting with advisors
- Workspace at @halauinana
- Public relations
- Cultural and community building activities
- Connection to global network of investors
- Mentorship
After six months, teams will have developed an idea, product or service into a compelling business to pitch to a panel of judges for an opportunity to receive funding.
Visit Purpleprize.com/incubator for details.