Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
For Immediate Release: July 9, 2019

HONOLULU—Helping Hawaii companies further develop new technology products to solve critical issues within key industries, the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) recently awarded $1.6 million in funding to 11 Hawaii-based companies. The funding was provided by HTDC’s Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which provides matching grants to help companies move their advanced technology products from research into the market.

Said Mike McCartney, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which oversees HTDC, “HTDC’s Hawaii Small Business Innovation program is key to the State’s efforts to diversify the economy by fostering innovation and developing a flourishing tech industry that will lead to high-paying jobs for Hawaii residents.”

“Hawaii’s Small Business Innovation Research program is highly competitive in that is helping Hawaii companies enhance their project development, compete for lucrative awards to conduct prototype development and ultimately reach successful commercialization,” said Wayne Inouye, center director for INNOVATE Hawaii, which oversees the Hawaii SBIR program. “Hawaii’s grant winners are creating some of the best technology solutions in the nation and this year’s class of grantees is no exception.”

HTDC provides Hawaii SBIR funding in various phases. Phase I matching grant awardees receive up to 50 percent of the Federal Phase I award. Phase II matching grant awardees receive up to $500,000. The most recent awardees, and the amount of their awards, include:

HSBIR Phase I Matching Grant Awardees:

• Guide Star Engineering ($27,413.39)
• Maui Innovation Group ($11,469.73)
• Nalu Scientific ($43,725.23)
• Oceanit ($28,999.89)
• Premier Solutions ($36,146.19)
• Revacomm ($12,928.23)
• Spectrum Photonics ($41,318.34)

HSBIR Phase II Matching Grant Awardees:

• Adnoviv ($250,000)
• Advanced Silicon Carbide Materials ($250,000)
• Experiad ($175,000)
• Nalu Scientific ($250,000)
• Navatek ($200,000)
• Premier Solutions ($300,000)

Among the projects receiving funding include:

• Compact, low cost long wave infrared hyperspectral sensor for spacecraft
• Fleet material locator information system
• Mitigation of ransomware
• Inflatable sled for underwater vehicles
• Common logistics information platform

These projects are designed to help organizations like the U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Institute of Health, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, solve crucial challenges in the nation.

For companies interested in learning more about the Hawaii SBIR program, HTDC will hold several workshops this fall. The SBIR presentations will kick off with a workshop with Department of Defense managers on October 28 and 29, 2019.

Hawaii’s SBIR program brings in about $20 federal dollars for every $1 invested by the state, helping to create high-paying jobs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and to establish a profitable, self-sustaining technology industry in Hawaii.

HTDC began providing matching grant funds to Hawaii companies which received Federal Small Business Innovation Research Grants in 1989. To date, the program has provided grants to 153 companies in Hawaii. The Hawaii SBIR matching grant program is the longest state-funded SBIR matching program in the United States.

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About Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC)
HTDC is a state agency, attached to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). HTDC’s mission is to facilitate the development and growth of Hawaii’s high technology industry. HTDC is providing capital, building infrastructure and developing talent to foster innovation and diversify Hawaii’s economy. HTDC’s 80/80 Initiative is to create 80,000 new tech and innovation jobs that will provide high paying jobs for Hawaii residents. For more information, visit www.HTDC.org.

About the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT)
DBEDT is Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, and foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaii’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments, and promotes innovation sector job growth.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Sandy Park
Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
HSBIR Program Manager
(808) 539-3794

Caroline Witherspoon
Becker Communications, Inc.
(808) 533-4165