🌏 East Meets West 2026

About the Event

Discover the intersection of innovation at East Meets West (EMW), Hawai‘i’s leading startup and venture conference where Asia meets the U.S., and founders connect with investors. Organized by Blue Startups, this event creates a platform for global investors, founders, and thought leaders to engage over two dynamic days filled with insights, connections, and the spirit of aloha.

Hosted by:
Chenoa Farnsworth
Maya Rogers
Casey Lau
David Holt

📅 Event Details

• Dates: April 8–9, 2026
• Locations:
  • Day 1: Ko‘olau Ballrooms, Kāne‘ohe
  • Day 2: Sheraton Waikiki, Honolulu
• Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (each day)
• 🎟️ Tickets Available Now! Get Your Tickets Here

🌊 About EMW

For over a decade, EMW has united innovators across the Pacific, fostering connections from Silicon Valley to Singapore and Tokyo to Honolulu. Experience a gathering of global venture leaders, startup pioneers, and ecosystem builders in an energetic and collaborative environment.

🔥 2026 Highlights

• 🎬 Meet the Drapers Live: Selected founders pitch their ideas to the Draper family, gaining invaluable feedback and media exposure.
• 🏆 Startup World Cup Qualifier: Compete in the official pitch competition; winners advance to the global finals.
• 🎤 Keynote by Tim Draper: Gain insights on venture capital, innovation, and entrepreneurship’s future.

🌅 2026 Focus

• ✨ Founder Showcase: Prominent startups from both East and West pitch live for investment opportunities.
• 🤝 Investor–Founder Roundtables: Participate in intimate group discussions tailored by industry.
• 🌅 Sunset Mixer: Enjoy oceanfront networking with live music and cocktails.
• 🌺 Cross-Cultural Keynotes: Learn valuable lessons from entrepreneurial journeys in Hawaii.

🎙️ Past EMW Speakers

Experience wisdom from renowned leaders in venture and innovation:

• Steve Case, Chairman & CEO, Revolution
• Christine Tsai, Founder & CEO, 500 Global
• Hans Tung, Managing Partner, Notable Capital
• Rebecca Lynn, General Partner, Canvas Ventures
• Henk Rogers, Founder, Blue Planet Alliance
• Rachel Kondo, Executive Producer, Shōgun
  (Stay tuned for the 2026 lineup announcement!)

🌅 The Setting

Join us in an inspiring setting where innovation meets the beauty of Hawai‘i:

• Day 1: Ko‘olau Ballrooms, Kāne‘ohe, HI
• Day 2: Sheraton Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
  Every day promises unique spaces for engagement, from keynote stages to breakout lounges and ocean-view networking.

⭐ VIP Experiences

Available for Conference + Summit attendees:
Explore exclusive VIP sessions designed to foster connections between global leaders through meaningful Hawaiian experiences, including:

• 🌿 Summit Day Hawaii Wellness Adventure
• 🥗 Private Executive Lunch & Roundtables
• 🍽️ Affinity Dinners (Evening in Honolulu)
• 🌺 Investor–Founder Networking

💬 Quotes from Our Community

“East Meets West is crucial for fostering collaboration — connecting not just within Hawaii, but also to other places that can amplify your growth.”
— Steve Case, Chairman & CEO, Revolution
“EMW serves as a trusted platform for essential information and meaningful data sharing, streamlining focus on what truly matters.”
— Peter Fukunaga, Sr. VP, Investments, Servco Pacific Inc.

💙 Hosted By

Blue Startups: A Top 20 Accelerator in the U.S. (TechCrunch) that empowers scalable technology firms to compete globally. Founded by Henk Rogers and Chenoa Farnsworth, Blue Startups embodies the fusion of entrepreneurship between Asia and North America.
🔗 Visit Blue Startups

🤙 Join Us!

Come for the connections; leave with new partners, revolutionary ideas, and an extra dose of aloha!