Pacific Business Forums is proud to present "Fusion-2002: Hawaii's New Venture Showcase" (a 'pedal to the metal' business plan competition!) to encourage and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders locally.

This competition and showcase will offer our local innovators the opportunity to have their concepts reviewed, filtered, and tightened up - and their plans 'bullet-proofed' in an effort to secure bank, angel, or venture capital funding to move toward execution. Veritable experts from Hawaii and abroad will counsel the teams and VCs and angels are expected from the Mainland and Asia for the Showcase Finale on Friday, July 19th.

Although a spotlight for Hawaii, Fusion 2002 will be uniquely targeted to Asia-Pacific and a number of plans from abroad will also be presented. From the ten finalists chosen on June 30, five winners will be selected on July 19th by a panel of judges and an Award Ceremony will follow in which cash and services totalling $100,000 - the largest amount ever awarded in such a competition in the State will be awarded.

Fusion-2002 Format --- THREE parts, as follows:

Part 1: Business Plan Submissions, Workshops, Counseling

Part 2: Hawaii's New Venture Showcase Presentations & Awards

Part 3: East Meets West VC Schmooze Fest - Invitation Only