Local companies creating cutting-edge science and technology-based products were on display at the State Capitol as part of The Hawai‘i Innovation Products Exhibition, sponsored by the Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation (HTDC). Many of these companies have benefited from the Hawai‘i Small Business Innovation Research (HSBIR) program that provides matching grants to enable companies further the development of new products to meet a range of needs in the state, from healthcare solutions to agriculture.

Among the companies that have benefited from the HSBIR program include Hawai‘i Biotech, Inc., which used genetically engineered virus proteins to induce immunity to the West Nile Virus and Dengue virus in clinical trials and has produced vaccines for each virus, which are now on the market.

The exhibit also included innovative local companies like 3D Innovations, 3SRM, Akabotics, Algorithm Hub, Cardax, Inc., Diagenetix, Experiad, Forever Oceans, HNU Photonics, IBIS, Jun Innovations, Kampachi Farms,LLC, Kinection, Kuehnle, Makai Ocean Engineering, Nalu Scientific, Navatek, Oceanit, Pacific Biodiesel, Premier Solutions, Small Kine Farms, Tea Hawaii, Tissue Genesis, and Terasys Technologies.

Since 1988, the Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation has been providing matching grant funds to Hawaii companies who received Federal Small Business Innovation Research Grants. These companies are recognized for advancing technology to solve critical challenges for the nation. The Hawai‘i SBIR matching grant program is the longest state funding SBIR matching program in the U.S.

The 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 Hawai‘i’s high technology industry.