Overview

This program is an 8-week hybrid Entrepreneurship Sprint for adult learners, offered through Windward Community College (University of Hawaiʻi System) workforce development program and Blue Startups.

Led by Alexi Drouin, the sprint combines weekly online sessions, hands-on assignments, and AI tools to help you talk to customers, build a live website, and bring a real product to market.

Over 8 weeks (45 hours), you will move from concept to a launched business and pitch your business venture and present your idea to a panel of founders and investors from Hawaiʻi's tech ecosystem.

Schedule

Week 1Find Your Opportunity(Customer Discovery)
Week 2Validate the Problem(Interviews)
Week 3Design Your Solution(MVP Creation)
Week 4Build Your Brand(Identity & Story)
Week 5Build Your Website(AI-Assisted Build)
Week 6Go to Market(Marketing & Launch)
Week 7Company Financials(Business Model)
Week 8Pitch Your Business(Presentation)

Learning Outcomes

—Apply how startups progress from idea to launch using lean methodology, customer discovery, and go-to-market principles.
—Use AI-powered tools to validate a business idea, build a functional website, and produce real marketing materials and content.
—Create and launch an original venture, including brand identity, MVP, and investor pitch and present it to a panel of founders and investors.

Deliverables

(Per Student/Team)

—Company Identity (Name, Logo, One-Liner)
—Live Website and/or Landing Page
—Social Post and/or 60-Second Video
—Presentation to Panel of Leaders
—Certificate of Completion (LinkedIn)

Course Format

—Tuesdays → Weekly Online Sessions — Videos, materials, lectures, and learning on ideation, development, go-to-market, and presenting.
—Thursdays → Classes on Campus (5 to 8 pm) — Plus weekly office hours for 1-on-1 time with instructors and mentors and guided self-study work.

Credentials Earned

—WCC — Entrepreneurship Certificate of Professional Development
—Blue Academy — Certificate of Completion (LinkedIn)

Required Technology

—Access to desktop or laptop computer
—Active email address per participant (no sharing)
—Access to reliable high speed internet (min. 512k)
—Device with camera, microphone & speaker for video conferencing

Instructors

Alexi Drouin (Blue Startups)

Alexi Drouin is a Hawaiʻi-based entrepreneur, investor, and educator with 20+ years of technical founder hands-on experience in marketing, operations, and leadership. He serves as Assistant Director of Hawaii Angels, leads Program Operations at Blue Startups, organizes the East Meets West conference, and is an advisor for Hawaii Tech Week. He is currently working with the University of Hawaii (UH), Windward Community College (WCC), and Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) to build an entrepreneurship curriculum for Blue Academy. Alexi is passionate about AI in education, accelerating startups, and showcasing Hawaiʻi's innovation ecosystem to the world.

Partners

Blue Startups

Blue Startups is Hawai'i's premier tech accelerator. Its nationally recognized program, ranked a Top 20 in the U.S. by TechCrunch, helps tech companies scale globally. With deep expertise in tech and an extensive network across the pacific, Blue Startups serves as a hub for Hawaii's innovation ecosystem. Blue Academy is the education arm of Blue Startups that offers courses at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) to help entrepreneurs take business from idea to launch.

Windward Community College

Windward Community College is part of the University of Hawaiʻi System, serving the windward side of Oʻahu with accessible, high-quality education and workforce programs. Career & Community Education at WCC is committed to expanding entrepreneurial opportunity for adult learners across Hawaiʻi, equipping students with the skills, mentorship, and network to build local businesses that create lasting impact in their communities.

Entrepreneurship 8-Week Sprint