Venture cash for startup firm

Advertiser Staff

Internet startup firm AssistGuide has received $900,000 in cash from equity investors including entrepreneur Ron Higgins and John Dean, chairman of Silicon Valley Bank.

The money is the second round of venture backing in 2001 for the Kailua company, which got about $1 million earlier in the year from mainland investors.

AssistGuide president Kevin Sypniewski said the company will use the money to expand technology offerings and increase sales capacity.

AssistGuide offers Internet services and online information to long-term care providers, including nursing homes, retirement homes and disability care providers. The company maintains Internet platforms for more than 300 care providers, has developed an online database of more than 140,000 care providers, and has branches in Honolulu, St. Louis, Dallas and Houston.

Higgins, founder of high-speed Internet firm Digital Island, will join the AssistGuide board of directors. Also joining the board is Honolulu public relations veteran Clifton Kagawa, former executive for the Honolulu branch of Hill and Knowlton.