Blue Startups For Entrepreneurs

Good news for you tech heads who have a great idea and need some financial help. Blue Startups, a new startup accelerator founded by Henk Rogers of Blue Planet Software (sole agent of Tetris®), extended its application deadline for its first cohort of startup companies to this week, Jan. 31.

Blue Startups is recruiting capital-efficient and scalable-technology companies, including Internet, software, mobile, gaming and e-commerce. The program also is targeting companies that focus on Asia.

Companies entering the Blue Startups program receive $20,000 as an up-front investment and access to more than $100,000 in in-kind services. The program will allow a company to access the resources needed to move to the next level. Workspace for the founding team (up to three people) will be provided at the “Sky Box.” In exchange for capital and in-kind services, Blue Startups will take an equity stake in each company.

Blue Startups aims to become a nexus of entrepreneurial activity not only in Hawaii, but also between Asia and the continental U.S. Key relationships to this strategy include: 500 Startups (a seed fund and venture accelerator with Silicon Valley roots and a global footprint), Nest GSV (international business accelerator in Silicon Valley), East-West Center, and Japan America Institute of Management Science.

Nice to know we have this opportunity right here in our backyard … Blue Startups just unveiled its new office space, called the “Sky Box” at Harbor Court, 55 Merchant St. in downtown Honolulu. Local sponsors and partners include Hawaii Angels, The Box Jelly, Hawaii Renewable Energy Development Venture, Startup Weekend Honolulu, Startup Hawaii and Hastings & Pleadwell: A Communication Company. For more information on the program, visit bluestartups.com.

Samsung and Verizon's new GALAXY 4G LTE camera. Photo courtesy Verizon Wireless

Samsung and Verizon’s new GALAXY 4G LTE camera. Photo courtesy Verizon Wireless

First 4G LTE Camera in the World

Last month Samsung and Verizon announced its GALAXY Camera, the first 4G LTE camera in the world. This camera allows you to capture and share images with your friends over 4G LTE instantly to your cloud and social sites.

The GALAXY Camera features a 4.8-inch HD Super Clear LCD touch-screen, a 21x optical zoom and a 16-megapixel lens. It runs the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system, and you’ll have full access to content in the Google Play Store. From a stunning sunset to a portrait, there are 15 Smart Pro modes to make your pictures look fabulous. There’s even an Expert Control mode to adjust your shutter speed and aperture manually. Additionally, the built-in editing tools let you put the finishing touches on your images (especially easy with the built-in touch-screen).

For you social media enthusiasts, you can connect your accounts through this camera and upload your pictures and videos as they’re happening. This is perfect for you on-the-go folks who can’t wait to plug in your camera at home.

The GALAXY Camera retails for $549.99 and comes in Cobalt Black, and exclusive to Verizon Wireless, White. You can add the GALAXY Camera to your Share Everything account for a promotional price of $5 per month.