GVS Transmedia Accelerator – Empowering Hawaii’s Content Creators!

Application Period: August 1st – August 31st, 2015

Start: Mid to Late September

Sign-Up: Check back for more info on the new website coming soon!

Global Virtual Studios (GVS), in collaboration with DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division (CID) and funding from the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation (HSDC), have officially launched the GVS Transmedia Accelerator (GTA)!  As part of DBEDT’s broader HI Growth Initiative, CID launched Creative Lab in 2013 to accelerate and export creative content across multiple clusters.  Co-founded by the Hawaii International Film Festival, Creative Lab kicks off during the fall festival and represents a critical component of Hawaii’s innovation ecosystem pipeline.  CL prepares the creative content producers in a strategically designed feeder program for DBEDT’s HI Growth Initiative accelerators, including the GVS Transmedia Accelerator.

From story and script refinement and creative proof of concept to breakdowns, schedule and budget for execution to business, marketing and distribution plans – teams will be accelerated through GVS’ unique Transmedia Pipeline positioning them for successful follow-on financing. Selected companies will develop at least 3 transmedia products (per company) that are grown out of their creative IP and financed by $50K in seed funding for development processes in exchange for a 10% equity stake in participant companies.

Preference will be shown to candidates who demonstrate plans to produce products and retain the value of their Intellectual Property in Hawai’i, or continue business activities in Hawai’i. The Accelerator is meant to foster creativity and stimulate job growth for creative industries in Hawai’i.

The Accelerator initiative is located in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Accepted Teams will need to attend certain sessions in person during this time.

Each selected Team will:

  • Participate in a six-month intensive program including tailored curriculum and evaluations
  • Receive insight from expert mentors, hands-on coaching, topical seminars, and peer-workshopping
  • Share co-workspace in a synergistic environment at Honua Studios in Kona, Hawai’i
  • Participate in the cohort graduation showcase

Sample of Mentors

Mike Frank – Senior Executive
Disney, Pepsi, Level 3 (Founder)

Ralph Winter – Film Producer
X-MEN franchise, Fantastic Four franchise, Planet of the Apes

David L. Cunningham – Filmmaker
Beyond Paradise, To End All Wars, Path to 9/11, The Seeker

Lance Priebe – Online gaming designer-entrepreneur
Co-founder & Creator of Club Penguin

Grant Curtis – Film Producer
The Spider-Man Trilogy, OZ: The Great and Powerful, The Gift

John Fusco – Screenwriter
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II, Hidalgo, Young Guns 1 & 2, Forbidden Kingdom

James Snook – Former Head of Innovations for Starbucks (20 years)

Cameo Wallace – Documentary Executive Producer
Discovery Channel, Mythbusters, Alaska: The Last Frontier, Outlaw Empires