This conference is Hawaii’s premier gathering for tech and innovation for groundbreaking ideas meet real go-to-market opportunities. This is your chance to dive deep into America’s Seed Fund – Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs – and learn how to effectively transition your research into impactful market solutions. This conference is brought to you by HTDC and funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Why Attend?
Meet SBIR/STTR program managers in-person, schedule a one-on-one meeting with them to find out what they are looking for and what kinds of projects their agencies are funding. The SBIR/STTR program was reauthorized and updated earlier this year. Find out what those changes are and how they could affect you.
This year’s conference will be taking place on Oahu, as well as Hawaii Island, in Kona, and on Maui, in Kihei. As HTDC is focusing our efforts on the Ocean and Space technology industries, the programming will also showcase the existing industry and more.
What to Expect:
Powered by the Hawaii Technology Development (HTDC) and supported in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), this year’s conference promises a great lineup of expert speakers including SBIR Program Managers, industry experts, and small business support partners. Explore what the SBIR Program has to offer to assist innovative companies in taking their ideas from the lab to the market. Meet other Hawaii companies that have successfully commercialized their technology by leveraging the SBIR program.
Agenda
Speakers
Dr. Genevieve Lind currently serves as Program Manager for America’s Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR Programs) within the Small Business Administration (SBA)'s Office of Investment and Innovation (OII).
Jason Kessler manages and provides strategic oversight for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) SBIR and STTR programs, which invest more than $200 million annually in early-stage tech innovation and deep-tech startups.
Michael (Mike) Kruk has joined the NOAA Technology Partnerships Office as the new Deputy Director. Mike is responsible for leading the execution of the strategic direction of TPO and overseeing the efficient functioning of the office.
Jamie Andrews is a Senior Space Acquisitions SME with 20 years of distinguished service across the U.S. Air Force, NATO, and the National Reconnaissance Office.
Candace Wright provides government funding opportunities that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/ Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization and transition into DoD major weapon systems.
Dr. Matt Willis leads the Army’s portfolio of private sector engagements through prize competitions (xTech), the Army SBIR and STTR programs, the Technology Maturation Initiative (TMI) program, and the Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) program.
Ms. Ailie Souriolle manages a robust program support portfolio overseeing a contract footprint of over $1 Billion across eight key operational locations throughout the PACAF Theater.
Trung Lam is the Executive Director and CEO of the Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), where he leads the state’s strategy to grow a resilient, high-impact technology sector by aligning talent, capital, and infrastructure.
Drew McDougall is responsible for external engagement opportunities that help to educate both small and large businesses, government representatives, colleges, and universities on the benefits of the SBIR/STTR program.
Mr. Jason Schroepfer oversees Program Operations, the SBIR/STTR Contracting Center, and the Assistant Deputy Directors (ADDs), ensuring the coordinated execution of policies, processes, and initiatives across the Navy SBIR/STTR enterprise.
Jeff Laupola is the Managing Partner and Co-founder of Nēnē Ventures, a Hawaii-based early-stage venture capital firm purpose-built for the Indo-Pacific defense and dual-use technology market.
Mr. Rocheleau has over 15 years’ experience in ocean engineering at Makai, and has led numerous programs as Vice President and Director since 2014.
A longtime sailor, Charlie Field ’06 has used his at-sea experience, together with his education in ocean engineering at MIT and University of Hawai‘i - Manoa, in his work as a senior engineer at PacMar Technologies.
Ian Kitajima is the President and CEO of PICHTR. Based in Honolulu, he works at the intersection of education, technology, entrepreneurship, business, culture, and community.
David Jochum is the Founder and CEO of Advanced Marine Vehicles (AMV) headquartered in Kona, the first startup to successfully design, build, and deploy both a surface and a subsurface autonomous marine vehicle.
Mark is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at OM Venture Capital, where he backs ambitious founders solving real problems in fintech, frontier tech, and resource intelligence.
Craig Jaques combines rare dual roles as General Partner and COO—pairing investment decision-making with hands-on operational management—while leading a defense and dual-use-focused firm based in Honolulu, outside traditional VC hubs.
Daron is MEDB’s in-house subject matter expert on doing business with the Space Force and entrepreneurship in Hawaiʻi and also owner of EO Solutions.
Doreen (Dory) Wong is an ocean innovation and sustainability leader with nearly 15 years of experience across the public, private, nonprofit, and multilateral sectors.
Harmon has more than 36 years of experience in large scale (up to 1 million liter ponds) microalgae and shellfish cultivation. She is CEO with Harmon Consulting Incorporated, a business in support of Microalgae Industry Development.
Neil is a marine biologist with a lifelong commitment to sustainable aquaculture and reducing humankind's footprint on the seas.
Co-founder of MorphOptic, Inc. a commercial off-shoot of the University of Hawai'i's Institute for Astronomy where he worked and attended graduate school. Focuses include optics research, deep learning, instrument design, and business development.
Dr. Reiley is a cutting-edge research and development leader on Maui for over 30 years including Space, Renewable Energy and MedTech sectors.
Dominique Barthel is a Communications Manager at Koniag Government Services for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) programs.
Keith is currently the Interim Executive Director at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA). Prior to his appointment as Interim Executive Director he served NELHA as the Chief Operations and Science Officer for approximately 19 years.
Mary Dale serves as the District International Trade Officer (DITO) and the Program Manager for the State Trade and Export Promotion Program (STEP) and supports the agencies outreach efforts.
Tina is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in federal contracting, innovation, and technology integration for the Department of Defense.
Dr. Keith Matsumoto has over 30 years of experience with non-profit organization, technology development, program management, and federal contract management.
Carlos Navarro is a Technology Licensing Officer for the University of Hawaiʻi System, an Instructor and Technology Scout for the NSF I-Corps Hub: Desert and Pacific Region, and an NSF SBIR/STTR proposal reviewer.
Cindy Matsuki is the HTDC Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research (HSBIR) Program Manager, supporting Hawai‘i SBIR awardees with state and federal funds (SBA FAST grantee).
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Location
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Neal Blaisdell Parking and Pikake Room
There is parking onsite at the Neal Blaisdell Center for $8/day. Please see instructions here on how to get to the Pikake room from the parking structure.
Click here for more information on Parking and Directions.
NELHA HOST Park
Please find more information about the Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology (HOST) Park.
Here's a map of the park. Hale Iako is next to the NELHA Keena Hana Admin Building.
Find the directions from the Kona airport to Hale Iako here.
MEDB Malcolm Center
Find out more about the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB).
Here's a link to the map of the MEDB complex and Malcolm Center.