FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2024
HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Damon Matteo as its new executive director and CEO. Matteo brings more than 25 years of experience in strategic development, innovation and intellectual property (IP) management to HTDC, Hawaiʻi’s state economic development agency focused on advancing the technology sector.
As the CEO of Fulcrum Strategy, Matteo has led high-impact initiatives across the United States, Asia and Europe, where he helped bring groundbreaking technologies to market and generate significant value from intellectual property assets. Matteo’s work spans multiple industries, including mobile computing, big data, IoT, clean tech and med-tech. Recognized as one of the “Fifty Most Influential People in Intellectual Property” by Intellectual Asset Magazine, Matteo also served on boards such as the Stanford University Hoover Institution for Intellectual Property and Innovation and was chairman of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Advisory Board.
“It is truly a pleasure and a privilege to join such a talented team at HTDC,” said Matteo. “I’m excited to begin working together with all of you toward our shared mission of serving Hawaiʻi by helping expand, enhance and empower our innovation community. It’s going to be an exciting journey and we’ll be innovating ourselves along the way to realize all the amazing potential of Hawaiʻi and our people.”
HTDC’s programs include incubation facilities for technology startups, capital and infrastructure support, educational and networking events, statewide mentoring, technology workforce development and matching grants for tech research. HTDC’s mission aligns with Matteo’s vision of fostering sustainable economic growth through innovation.
“Damon’s expertise and global leadership experience will be invaluable as HTDC moves forward in developing new opportunities for Hawaiʻi’s tech sector and empowering local entrepreneurs,” said Innovate Hawaiʻi Center Director Wayne Inouye. “We’re thrilled to welcome Damon to our team and look forward to his leadership in advancing Hawaiʻi’s technology ecosystem.”
As executive director and CEO, Matteo will oversee HTDC’s initiatives in technology development, support for Hawaiʻi-based startups and fostering collaboration among industry, academia and government. This includes developing new facilities for innovation, business development and manufacturing services across all islands, as well as coordinating research efforts, such as in energy technology, to meet state and national needs. Established in 1983, HTDC is attached to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and remains dedicated to creating high-paying jobs, supporting local entrepreneurs and cultivating a skilled workforce to fuel Hawaiʻi’s
technology sector.
About HTDC
HTDC is a state agency attached to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and focused on promoting and developing
Hawai‘i’s technology industry. With a mission to facilitate the growth of technology and innovation, HTDC plays a key role in connecting talent with opportunities in the state. The state of Hawai‘i’s Hi-CAP program provides capital assistance to Hawai‘i’s businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs. It is funded by the U.S. Treasury Department’s SBCI program, part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. For more information, please visit htdc.org.
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Press Release [pdf]
Media Contacts:
Umma Berkelman
Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation
Phone: 808-539-3839
Email: umma.berkelman@hawaii.gov
Colleen Ching
Gray Media
Email: colleen.ching@gray.tv