EF Hawai`i and Referentia Systems Partner on Kokua Haiti Relief Fund
Hawai`i technology company Referentia Systems is challenging local businesses to contribute to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti by matching dollar-for-dollar donations to the Kokua Haiti Relief Fund up to $25,000. Donations to the Fund will be matched again by the HelpHaiti Fund established by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas. EF Hawai`i is administering the Kokua Haiti Relief Fund. Donations may be made by visiting www.kokuahaiti.org. Please click here for a news release from Referentia about the Kokua Haiti Relief Fund.
December 2009
Please click here for ideas on service opportunities for the holiday season.
September 2009
Bill Joos Entrepreneur Workshop
Bill Joos of Go To Market Consulting returned to Hawai`i to present a workshop jam-packed with insights, advice, and useful tips for companies raising money. One participant commented that he learned more from Bill in one day than he got from an entire semester in college. John Dean also shared his thoughts on how Hawai`i companies can improve their chances of attracting financing in Silicon Valley. Click here for more information and photos.
School Supplies Drive Report - We collected $3,200 in donations of cash and supplies for underprivileged children in programs at Catholic Charities Hawai`i. Pipeline Micro CEO Wayne Karo helped assemble the supplies. Thanks to all for their support! Click here for photos and more information.
June 2009
Tom Vertin Speaks to EF Hawai`i
At a lunch on June 30, Tom Vertin, Chief Operating Officer of Silicon Valley Bank, spoke to a group of EF Hawai`i CEOs, Board members, and Advisory Board members. Tom spoke about the state of the venture industry, how Silicon Valley VCs and companies have dealt with the recession and contraction in financing, and his forecast regarding fundraising and liquidity opportunities. Tom's talk was very well received and EF Hawai`i is grateful to him for sharing his insights. View Images
School Supplies Drive - EF Hawai`i is coordinating its annual School Supplies Drive. This year we hope to help 174 disadvantaged children in programs at Catholic Charities Hawai`i (CCH). Supplies can be dropped off at the EF Hawai`i office and cash donations may be made at the CCH website, www.CatholicCharitiesHawaii.org, or mailed to CCH at 200 N. Vineyard Blvd., Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96817 with a note that the donation is for the EF Hawai`i School Supplies Drive.
May 2009
Sopogy Helps the Humane Society
Sopogy team members, including founder & CEO Darren Kimura, participated in the Hawaiian Humane Society's dog park project on Saturday, May 30. The volunteers moved a mountain of woodchips from the parking lot to the dog park. We're told that the dogs are very happy with the improvements to their park. Thanks to the Sopogy team for their hard work and commitment to community service. View Images
"An Entrepreneur Workshop with Bill Joos" Workshop showed 30+ entrepreneurs how to:
Avoid the ten biggest mistakes made in business plans
Define their market
Determine their strongest value proposition
Refine their elevator pitch
Write an effective one-page executive summary
Develop a compelling PowerPoint presentation for the initial investor meeting
Bill Joos is the principal of "Go To Market Consulting," based in Palo Alto, California. He spent over 6 years as the VP of Entrepreneur Development at Garage Technology Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm that he co-founded along with Guy Kawasaki. He provides entrepreneurs with effective, hands-on, action-oriented strategic and tactical mentoring and coaching.
Summer 2008
School Supplies Drive for Neglected and Abused Children
EF Hawai'i companies, board members, advisors, and friends collected over $2,700 in cash and $1,300 in school supplies for abused and neglected children in programs at Catholic Charities Hawai'i (CCH). CCH reported:
With the cash donations, we were able to purchase backpacks for 125 children. These children received basic school supply items through other community donor programs, like the Ready to Learn, but did not have a bag to put them in. The families and CCH staff were very happy about receiving the backpacks since it is one of the more expensive back-to-school items. The backpack purchase also included 28 children in our Kawaihae transitional housing program on the Big Island. Supplies were also purchased for children in CCH's Na Ohana Pulama foster care and group home programs.
The donated supplies supplemented the basic supplies received by these families. Most of the back-to-school programs did not provide enough for the students especially items like pencils and pens. The Ready to Learn Program only provided 2 pencils per child. The donated highlighters, calculators, rulers, erasers, and facial tissue were also great since they are not considered basic supplies, yet they appear on the student lists.
We also purchased a backpack and sets of supplies for 71 children (an increase from the original 50) in the programs that we initially targeted. Leftover miscellaneous items were taken to St. Jude's outreach program and distributed by one of the IIR staff.
In total, the donations from Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawaii members helped over 200 children in CCH programs and touched many more.
On behalf of all the CCH children, families, and program staff I would like to express a sincere appreciation to you and the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawaii for helping to make this back-to-school season less stressful for many struggling families.
July 2008
"Lessons Learned by Hawai'i Serial Entrepreneurs" Seminar for EF Hawai'i portfolio company CEOs and other entrepreneurs on how more experienced CEOs built their successful companies. Speakers were:
John Dean, EF Hawai'i Chairman and Managing General Partner of Startup Capital Ventures
DragonBridge Capital is supporting the Children's Alliance of Hawaii (CAH), www.cahawaii.org, by purchasing a $7,000 table and participating in the sponsorship of CAH's annual fundraiser, Mahealani, to be held on Monday, June 19, 2006 at the Pacific Club.
CAH's mission is to provide care and support for sexually abused children throughout the island of Oahu.
The vision of CAH is to positively impact the lives of these children through successful partnerships and programs designed to leave a lasting legacy of healing, encouragement and optimism. DragonBridge encourages other EF Companies to consider a table at the Mahealani event and join us in supporting this community benefiting charity.
AssistGuide, Inc.’s St. Louis office participated in the Eastern Missouri Big Brothers Big Sisters “Bowling for Kids’ Sake” fundraising event on April 7th. Fielding two teams, AssistGuide bowlers raised $690 for the mentoring organization. Other upcoming community service activities for the company include participating in the Gateway Area chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s MS Walk, and volunteering for the St. Louis Senior Olympics.
