The University of Hawaiʻi Venture Competition marked its 25th anniversary this year with record prize money, standout student startups and a celebration of entrepreneurship across the UH System. Hosted by the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) in UH Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business, the milestone event, supported by title sponsor American Savings Bank, featured 13 semifinalist teams representing more than 20 academic disciplines and two campuses.

“This milestone year highlights the incredible talent and innovation emerging from our students across the UH System,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “It’s inspiring to see how far the competition has come in 25 years—and even more exciting to imagine where these future entrepreneurs will go next.” 

At the finals held on May 9th at the Waiʻalae Country Club, BlueMed claimed first place and a $25,000 prize, sponsored by American Savings Bank, for its AI-powered app that helps aquaculture farmers quickly diagnose diseases in shrimp and fish by analyzing uploaded images and symptoms. Farmers can also order medicine, feed and supplements directly through the platform, streamlining access to critical supplies. The team, led by Quang Loc Lam (business administration) and Thi Hai Au La (microbiology), aims to boost aquaculture health through accessible, tech-driven solutions. 

“The UH Venture Competition has been an incredible journey for our BlueMed team,” Lam said. “It gave us the opportunity to refine our business idea, receive valuable coaching and feedback from experienced mentors, and present our work to a panel of judges. More than just a competition, it was a transformative experience that helped us grow as entrepreneurs and prepare for the real-world challenges of building a business. We’re deeply grateful for the support and learning this program provided.”