SimplePrints founders want to create a global network of Hawaii startup entrepreneurs

Enlarge Photo

Courtesy StoryTree

SimplePrints was created by two Iolani School graduates, Matt Sullivan and Landen Buckley. They have formed Start Hawaii, a global network for entrepreneurs with ties to Hawaii.

Jason Ubay

Reporter- Pacific Business News

Email  |  Twitter

Matt Sullivan and Landen Buckley of Silicon Valley-based StoryTree Inc., the developers of SimplePrints, have formed Start Hawaii, a global community of Hawaii startup entrepreneurs.

Sullivan, Story Tree's CEO, and Buckley, its head of product, met when they paddled together while students at Iolani School in Honolulu. They graduated from the school in 2004.

The two went on their own paths, Sullivan to Stanford's design school and Buckley to law school, but always talked running a company. StoryTree launched in 2011, and SimplePrints has been available on Apple's App store for 18 months. It has reached more than 1 million downloads and recently launched on Android.

The company has 14 employees, with some employees located in Vietnam and Pakistan. Sullivan said they had tried to recruit in Hawaii, but were unable to find developers here.

While they are optimistic about the tech startup scene here, they know it's still growing. He said some of the reasons they are in Silicon Valley are that there are more funding options and more mentors. At 500 Startups, they found the network of mentors and startup entrepreneurs to be the most valuable part of the experience. Through the network, they asked mentors and other founders questions on challenges they faced.

To grow a similar network of Hawaii entrepreneurs, they formed Start Hawaii, a global community of Hawaii entrepreneurs. Members do not necessarily have to live in Hawaii, but it's looking for startup entrepreneurs whose common tie is Hawaii. More information can be found at starthawaii.org.

When asked if they would move back to Hawaii, Buckley said it's always on their mind and are looking for ways to make the transition. With employees in Vietnam and Pakistan, they said they have proven that they can hire workers from anywhere in the world.

Jason Ubay covers tourism and finance for Pacific Business News.