Mahalo!
for your interest in DBEDT’s business development and support programs.
The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) provides technical assistance, financing opportunities, and economic information to support your business. Please find a summary of resources below and follow the links for more information and to contact the individual divisions and programs.
Business Development & Support Division (BDSD)
- Support for existing and emerging small business and community-based organizations
- Provides resources and referrals for technical training and oversees the following programs:
- Community-Based Economic Development (CBED) Loan Program: Offers small business loans to qualified companies that support economic development in their communities
- Enterprise Zones (EZ): Offers tax incentives and benefits to companies that stimulate economic activity and job growth in needed areas
- Hawaii State Trade Expansion Program (HiSTEP): Assists growing companies that want to export products and services overseas
- Made In Hawaii: Promotes Made in Hawaii products to local and new audiences through a central portal to online marketplaces
- Cybersafe Hawaii: Cyber awareness program offering free training, technical assessments of IT systems, and security testing for eligible companies and non-profits
Creative Industries Division (CID)
- Resources, workshops, and services for musicians, performing and visual artists, literary artists, publishers, designers, media artists and creators
- Encompasses the Hawaii Film Office that gives filmmakers, location scouts, and photographers access services such as permitting, studio space rentals, and incentive and tax credit information
- Provides access to the Entrepreneurs Sandbox in Honolulu for work and meeting space and studio and sound stage usage
Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC)
- Focused programs and resources for companies building next-generation technology, renewable energy, innovation, and manufacturing industries
- Provides companies at all stages with opportunities for mentorship, expansion, access to grants and funding, usage of facilities, event sponsorship and oversees the following programs:
- Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research Program (HSBIR): Matches grants to help companies developing new products
- Manufacturing Assistance Program (MAP) Grant: Offers financial support to growing manufacturers
Research & Economic Analysis Division (READ)
- Provides businesses with data, analyses, and economic forecasts that contribute to the State’s economic development and long-term planning
- Additionally READ collects, compiles, interprets and posts data and statistics on all aspects of Hawaii’s economy, including Hawaii’s tourism (visitor), labor, and energy sectors, and its population and demographic characteristics
To learn more about The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism and the various ways we support businesses in Hawaii, please visit DBEDT.hawaii.gov