The Hawaii Venture Capital Association, or HVCA, has named the winners of its 22nd annual Entrepreneur Awards.
Each year, HVCA conducts an awards program recognizing up to 12 categories of entrepreneurs and investors in Hawaii's Startup Paradise ecosystem who are "changing Hawaii's economy with homegrown innovations." The awards show was aired on Hawaii News Now station KGMB on Tuesday and will have follow-up shows on Sunday, as well as March 10.
“We’re really happy with showing the awards program virtually,” said Meli James, president of HVCA, in a statement. “Last year we reached 29,000 viewers and expect that even more people will be watching our winning entrepreneurs and supporters this year.”
The 2022 winners of HVCA's Entrepreneurship Awards are as follows:
- Kamehameha Schools won the Investor of the Year award, which recognizes the most outstanding individual or entity that has contributed significantly to the startup ecosystem.
- TurnoverBnB. received the Deal of the Year award, which recognizes the largest financial deal in the past year. The company completed a $4.5 million Series A raise in July 2021, led by RET Ventures and participation by Hawaii-based accelerator Blue Startups.
- Shaka Tea Co-founder and president, Isabella Hughes won the Entrepreneur of the Year award, which recognizes an individual or team that has gone above and beyond expectations.
- Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO, John De Fries was recognized as the Corporate Intrapreneur of the Year. This award honors an individual who creatively challenges tradition and makes changes in corporate culture to encourage problem solving by internal entrepreneurs.
- Hohonu co-founders, Brian Glazer, Kevin Mukai, Hou In (Stanley) Lio, Nicole Elko, Dave Walsh and Daniel Grzenda were recognized as the Island Innovator(s) of the Year, which honors the most impactful innovation that has helped Hawaii.
- Central Pacific Bank was honored as the Startup Paradise Champion of the Year, an award that recognizes an individual or organization that consistently contributes to the startup community.
- Nick and Miki Vericella of Pawniolo Pets won the Agriculture Entrepreneur of the Year award, which honors a company that develops and enhances technology that helps move society to a cleaner, greener future; and also innovates upon current agricultural practices to help local farmers and introduces the possibility of global expansion.
- William Davis of VITALITEA HAWAII won the Consumer Packaged Goods Entrepreneur of the Year award. The award is presented to the entrepreneur whose company has consistently seen month-over-month growth in revenue and customers.
- Malia Sanders and Mondy Jamshidi Kent of Travel2Change x Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association received the Social Impact Entrepreneur of the Year award, recognizing an entrepreneur or company that makes a substantial contribution to Hawaii, demonstrating leadership, innovation and commitment to solving Hawaii’s toughest problems.
- Pulse Utility LLC. Co-founders Anthony Lopez and Craig Opie were recognized as the Student Entrepreneur of the Year. This award honors younger members of the innovation community for their passion, tenacity and their company’s potential for growth.
- LifeDNA, Inc. Founder and CEO Cyril Moukarzel won the Technology Entrepreneur of the Year, award which recognizes an individual who has created new technology and innovation to improve our lives.
- The People’s Choice of Startup Paradise of the Year is Hawaiiverse, co-founded by Kamaka Dias, Taylor Martin, Callie Martin and Jared Kushi. This award represents the interests of Startup Paradise and serves as an example based on successes, popularity and the unwavering support of community members.
