Nonprofit seeks aid
from start-ups
A tech veteran has a message for Hawaii start-up companies: Work isn't everything.
A newly created nonprofit called Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawaii (www.efhawaii.org) encourages young companies to serve the community.
Launched by John Dean, former Silicon Valley banker and part-time Hawaii resident, the program is designed to build a culture of community service and philanthropy in start-up companies, which typically have little time and no cash to devote to anything but building their businesses.
EFH members get tax deductions for their community contributions and a chance to set up their own charitable foundations.
EFH charter members include venture funded companies such as Broadband iTV, AssistGuide, Hawaii Biotech, Cellular Bioengineering Inc., Hoku Scientific, Hawaii Superferry and PacifiCall.
Similar foundations operate in Silicon Valley, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Dallas, Israel, Portland and Seattle.