East Meets West 2021
East Meets West is Hawaii's startup event of the year – bringing together thought leaders and innovators from Hawai’i, Asia, and North America. EMW’21 features amazing international speakers, hot topic breakout sessions, pitch opportunities, and ample networking.
February 24 - 26 in Virtual Format
EMW'21
EMW’21 features amazing international speakers, hot topic breakout sessions, pitch opportunities, and ample networking in a tropical Startup Paradise!
For More Video Coverage of the Event see HERE.
Mahalo! $10K Raised for Hawaii Food Bank
MAHALO to all 400 registrants that helped us pull off our very first (and hopefully last) virtual East Meets West 2021. Because of you, we were able to raise $10,600 for the Hawaii Food Bank.
EMW ’21 gave us so many gems from all of our moderators, opening panels, closing fireside chats, and guest VCs.
We can’t wait to see you next year!
Mahalo to our EMW '21 Sponsors!
On behalf of our family of companies at ALTRES, we are honored to be a continued sponsor of the East Meets West Conference. Our commitment is helping to make business simple for Hawaii’s businesses and that including the many new entrepreneurial efforts in our start-up community. If you are looking for guidance in navigating the uncharted waters of launching your business and establishing strong HR, Payroll and Administration foundation, we encourage you to apply for our simplicityHR Service Grant, or give us a call, 808-591-4900. Apply HERE
Featured Speakers
We are bringing the finest industry experts to speak
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Fresco Capital
Day 1 (2/24)
2:00PM – 2:15PM – Networking
2:15PM – 2:45PM — Opening Session: “Coming Back Stronger”
- Topic: Remote Work’s Impact on Economy and Society
- Format: Panel Discussion
- Moderator: Chenoa Farnsworth (Blue Startups)
- Participants:
- Michele Kauinui (ALTRES)
- Liza Rodewald (Instant Teams)
- Nicole Lim (Movers and Shakas)
2:45PM – 3:35PM — Roundtables/Sponsors/Pitch a VC
3:35PM – 4:00PM — Closing Session: “No Borders, No Barriers”
- Topic: Climate Change & Social Equality
- Format: Fireside Chat
- Participants:
- Henk Rogers, (Blue Planet Software, Blue Planet Foundation)
- Dawn Lippert (Elemental Excelerator)
4:00PM – 5:00PM — Open Networking
5:00PM – 6:00PM — Pau Hana
Day 2 (2/25)
2:00PM – 2:15PM – Networking
2:15PM – 2:45PM — Opening Session: “Coming Back Stronger”
- Topic: Technology Connecting the Future
- Format: Panel Discussion
- Moderator: Casey Lau (RISE)
- Participants:
- Stefan Opsal (RendezView)
- Ashwani Jain (Airmeet)
- Sam Liang (Otter.ai)
2:45PM – 3:35PM — Roundtables/Sponsors/Pitch a VC
3:35PM – 4:00PM — Closing Session: “No Borders, No Barriers”
- Topic: Volta Industries Exit, SPACS and IPOs in 2021
- Format: Fireside Chat
- Participants:
- Chenoa Farnsworth (Blue Startups)
- Greg Gaug (Ulupono Initiative)
4:00PM – 5:00PM — Open Networking
5:00PM – 6:00PM — Pau Hana
Day 3 (2/26)
2:00PM – 2:15PM – Networking
2:15PM – 2:45PM — Opening Session: “Coming Back Stronger”
- Topic: Bringing Tourism Back Responsibly
- Format: Panel Discussion
- Moderator: Maya Rogers-Kiyomura (Tetris, Blue Planet Software)
- Participants:
- Kalani L. Ka‘anā‘anā (Hawaii Tourism Authority)
- Chris Hemmeter (Thayer Ventures)
- Jessica Blotter (Kind Traveler)
2:45PM – 3:35PM — Roundtables/Sponsors/Pitch a VC
3:35PM – 4:00PM — Closing Session: “No Borders, No Barriers”
- Topic: Best of the Pitch – 3 Pitches Nominated by Participating VCs
- Moderators:
- Casey Lau (RISE)
- Chenoa Farnsworth (Blue Startups)
4:00PM – 5:00PM — Open Networking
5:00PM – 6:00PM — Pau Hana
Catch all of our Opening Sessions, Fireside Chats, and Best of the Pitch on our Youtube Channel!
Missed EMW ’21 or want to replay what you saw? Check out our Youtube Channel for all the replays
Day 1
* Opening Panel: Remote Work’s Impact on Economy and Society
* Closing Fireside Chat: Climate Change & Social Equality
Day 2
* Opening Panel: Technology Connecting the Future
* Closing Fireside Chat: Volta Industries Exit, SPACS and IPOs in 2021
Day 3
* Opening Panel: Bringing Tourism Back Responsibly
* Closing Session: Best of the Pitch
ROUNDTABLE TOPICS
- Finding A Co-Founder (Kyle Corbitt, YC Startup School)
- Prepping Your Seed Raise (Aubrie Pagano, Corigin Ventures)
- Hawaii As A Remote Work Paradise? (Clint Chao, Moment Ventures)
- Pandemic Opportunities (Carman Chan, Click Ventures)
- The Future of Seed Funds in the Era of Mega Rounds (Stephen Forte, Fresco Capital)
- 2021 Investment Trends (Edith Yeung, Race Capital)
- Raising Money: Series A and Series Seed Factors (Chris Hemmeter, Thayer Ventures)
- Emerging Market Investing (Jeffrey Paine, Golden Gate Ventures)
- Strategies for the Japanese Market (Takaho Iwasaki, MajiConnection)
- Smart Batteries for Micromobility (Terry Hsiao)
- Scaling Your Sustainability Story (Amy Brinker, Kamehameha Schools)
- Creating Your Narrative (Meli James, Mana Up)
- Digitization in Healthcare (Lu Zhang, Fusion Fund)
- Transmedia, Digital Lifestyle, and the Metaverse (Ryan Wang, Outpost VC)
- Launching a Startup in Asia (Gene Soo, StartupsHK)
- Startup Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area (Ben Wong, Eureka Nova)
- Agriculture is the Answer (Danya Hakeem)
- Innovations and Investments in H2O: Why Water? Why Now? (Kim Baker)
- Exposed: How COVID is Accelerating the Equitable Development of Smart Cities (Nneka Uzoh)
- …Plus more to be announced!
Blue Startups is a Top 20 Accelerator in the US (Techcrunch) focused on helping scalable technology companies compete on a global scale. With deep domain expertise in technology development and an extensive network in Asia, Blue Startups is a nexus of entrepreneurial activity in Hawai‘i, and between Asia and North America. Blue Startups was founded by Henk Rogers, founder of the Tetris Company and Chenoa Farnsworth of Hawaii Angels in 2012 and has been a full member of the Global Accelerator Network since 2013. Blue Startups is funded by the State of Hawaii, Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, and private investors.