East Meets West 2026
About the Event
East Meets West (EMW) is Hawai‘i’s premier startup and venture conference, where Asia meets the U.S., and founders meet investors.
Hosted by Blue Startups, EMW brings together global investors, founders, and thought leaders from both sides of the Pacific for two days of insight, connection, and aloha.
Hosted by:
Chenoa Farnsworth
Maya Rogers
Casey Lau
David Holt
📅 Event Details
🗓️ April 8–9, 2026
📍 Day 1: Ko‘olau Ballrooms, Kāne‘ohe
📍 Day 2: Sheraton Waikiki, Honolulu
🕗 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (each day)
🎟️ Tickets Now on Sale
🌊 About East Meets West
For over a decade, EMW has connected innovators across the Pacific — from Silicon Valley to Singapore, Tokyo to Honolulu.
🌴 Expect global venture leaders, startup founders, and ecosystem builders in one vibrant, collaborative setting.
💬 The vibe: Big ideas, real connections, and the aloha spirit.
🔥 2026 Highlights
✨ Founder Showcase: Top startups from East and West. pitch live for investments
🤝 Investor–Founder Roundtables: Small-group sessions curated by sector
🌅 Sunset Mixer: Oceanfront networking with live music and cocktails
🌺 Cross-Cultural Keynotes: Lessons from building in Hawaii
🚀 Startup World Cup: The EMW Pitch Competition returns!
🎙️ Past EMW Speakers
Expect insights from global leaders in venture and innovation, including:
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
…and the 2026 lineup will be announced soon!
🌅 The Setting
This year’s EMW blends the energy of innovation with the beauty of Hawai‘i — from the lush Ko‘olau Ballrooms to the oceanfront Sheraton Waikiki.
📍 Day 1: Ko‘olau Ballrooms, Kāne‘ohe, HI
📍 Day 2: Sheraton Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Each day offers unique spaces for connection — from keynote stages to breakout lounges to ocean-view networking.
⭐ VIP Experiences
(Available to Conference + Summit attendees)
EMW 2026 takes relationship-building beyond the stage with curated VIP sessions designed to connect global leaders through authentic Hawaiian experiences and meaningful conversation.
🌿 Summit Day Hawaii Wellness Adventure
🥗 Private Executive Lunch & Roundtables
🍽️ Affinity Dinners (Evening in Honolulu)
🌺 Investor–Founder Networking
💬 From Our Community
“East Meets West is so important because it creates a more collaborative environment — not just focusing on Hawaii, but the connectivity to other places that can give you leverage and momentum.”
— Steve Case, Chairman & CEO, Revolution
“East Meets West provides a trusted platform for critical information and data sharing, filtering out the noise, and focusing on what’s important.”
— Peter Fukunaga, Sr. VP, Investments, Servco Pacific Inc.
💙 Hosted By
Blue Startups
A Top 20 Accelerator in the U.S. (TechCrunch) helping scalable technology companies compete on a global stage. Founded by Henk Rogers and Chenoa Farnsworth, Blue Startups serves as a nexus for entrepreneurship between Asia and North America.
🤙 Join Us
Come for the connections. Leave with new partners, big ideas, and a little more aloha.