Pacific Impact Zone

Accomplishments: facilitated Hawaii's first dual use task force, a public-private partnership from state government, academia, industry, to research, analyze, and strategize options for growing Hawaii's federal small business growth through research and development. Facilitated community ecosystem integration through connecting 16 local small businesses, academic researchers, and research center organizations. Within the reporting period, the activity's objective is to build meaningful regional relationships to strengthen the local ecosystem, a crucial first step towards a vibrant research and development ecosystem. Long-term this is hoped to grow small business success within the innovation sector by focusing on advanced research and development topics relevant to Hawaii such as supply chain, logistics, and renewable energy.

Accomplishments: delivered business development and operational analyses for four small businesses within the science technology and math federal business sectors. Provided hands on coaching and networking opportunities to strengthen business prospects including prospective talent growth, inventory modifications, and new market opportunities. Within the reporting period, the activity's objective is to directly and positively Impact small businesses that seek to grow within the science technology and math sectors through federal and commercial applications. Further, the activities encourage small business to community connections to strengthen regional ecosystem business health which we hope will have the long term benefit of improved employment opportunities for next generation researchers and technologists.

Accomplishments: provided assistance to the university of Hawaii to create an incubation program for suporting faculty and research members from academia to translate their research into small business pilots. Coached eight faculty and university staff members. Also developed a portal to identify and connect undergraduate and recent graduates in the science, technology, and math fields with prospective research employment opportunities. Provided resume coaching, interview coaching, and workforce mentoring. Within the reporting period, the activity's objective is to create the framework for a successful pathway between academia and private industry, inclusive of training, structure, and support. Long-term, the objective is to increase the successful transition rate from academia into private industry specifically focused on employment opportunities within the science, technology, and math fields.

Management consulting services; provided direct assistance to regional small businesses through a variety of means including classroom / group instruction, direct consultation with a particular emphasis on federal contractor success. Specific assistance given towards dcma, dcaa, and dfars contract compliance.