Building a Mindful Tech Ecosystem in Hawai'i with Blue Startups | Chenoa Farnsworth

HumanizeHer x Shangri La "Visionary Voices" brings HumanizeHer's signature conversations to Shangri La, a Center of Cultures & Ideas and Museum of Islamic Art in Honolulu, Hawai'i, featuring three special episodes with visionary women leaders from Hawai'i.   In this episode, we are sitting down with one of the most powerful forces in venture capital building from the Pacific. Chenoa Farnsworth is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Blue Startups - consistently ranked as one of the Top 20 accelerators in the entire United States, built in Honolulu, Hawai'i. In her 25 years in venture, Chenoa has been the architect of the tech ecosystem in Hawaii. She has invested in over 150 companies, helped lead the Hawai'i Angels network, and founded East Meets West - the premier conference that has spent the last 12 years connecting technology leaders across the Pacific.   Working alongside Tetris CEO, Maya Rogers, Chenoa is proving that the islands are a world-class hub for tech. She believes Hawaiʻi is a strategic bridge between Asia and North America - and she is betting on women founders to deliver her the best returns. This conversation will change how you think about where innovation happens and who gets to lead it, from the vanguard of redefining Hawaii not just as a destination, but as a thriving global innovation hub.   Key Takeaways: "Bridge to Asia" Thesis: Discover how Hawai'i leverages its unique geographic and cultural proximity to act as a crucial link between Western and Asian tech markets, shifting the perspective on what makes the islands a competitive place to build a global business. Tech with a Heart: Chenoa is on a mission to redefine innovation and tech culture from the ground up. Moving away from typical "bro-tech" dynamics, Chenoa infuses her leadership with Hawaii's deeply rooted values of 'Ohana (family) and community. It's a refreshing look at how grounding a business in family-style collaboration can drive true, impactful innovation. Future of Tech in the AI Era: Hear Chenoa's insights on navigating the rapidly commoditized world of AI software and why human relationships, community trust, and a "whole-person" approach will become the ultimate differentiators for successful businesses moving forward. "Kamaʻāina Come Home" Initiative: Learn about the growing movement to draw Hawai'i's best and brightest talent back to the islands to build sustainable, high-paying tech jobs that diversify the economy without sacrificing the local environment.   Listen in to discover how Chenoa and her network are bringing the human back to the center of technology, all while proving that a small island community can punch far above its weight on the global stage.   Mahalo to VToku for their technical support and partnership with our production crew in bringing this series to life.   Listen in and join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.