Local incubator XLR8HI recently announced its third preX cohort of Hawaii-based startup companies.
The 19 Hawaii companies in the newest preX cohort — which have founders and business owners on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island and Kauai — include those with specialties in several fields including digital currency, agriculture, education and equine therapy, among others. Designed for Hawaii entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the state, the preX program is a virtual, intensive four-week investment readiness and business scaling program.
The 19 companies in Cohort 3 of preX are:
- Ili Hawaiian Skincare: Organic coffee and salt scrubs handcrafted in Kauai.
- Andaya Real Estate School: Real estate education through digital and traditional mediums.
- Cloud Nalu: A software development group and brokerage/exchange platform offering "Bitcoin as a Service" for people, businesses and institutions.
- Econexus: Presents the Public Benefit Corporation ETF (PBCX), the first ever exchange traded fund comprised entirely of public benefit corporations worldwide.
- Education Incubator: A Hawaii-based and Hawaii-focused nonprofit that helps to support learners and organizations to "harness creativity, purpose, joy."
- Equipt Health: Help for obstructive sleep apnea, prescribed online and delivered to customers' doors.
- GameDevHQ: A coding bootcamp that provides one-on-one mentorship support and works with individuals to get hired earning $50,000 or more as unity software developers.
- Hi Wetsuits: Manufactures custom wetsuits locally for freediving, spearfishing, and surfing enthusiasts.
- Kauhi Hawaii: Provides live and online cultural experiences for participants to connect to their genealogy, traditions.
- Lavaloha Chocolate Farm: Growers and makers of single origin, 100% Hawaiian chocolate.
- Manaolana Ranch for Youth and their Families: A faith-based organization working with youth and their families, using activities and experiences in partnership with the equine.
- Maui Powder Works: Providers of the innovative Patina Powder Coat, a new twist to achieving a realistic patina copper effect on metal in a nontraditional way.
- Oceanhead Solar & Electric: A women-owned electrical contracting company specializing in solar PV, EV charging, and energy efficiency.
- Ollie's Original Coconut Lemonade: Handmade lemonades that use tropical flavors.
- Orig Entertainment: A multimedia company that creates viral videos, TV shows, full length films, and NFTs for the Asian-American Pacific Islander Market.
- Sole Vae: Responsibly-made hybrid bras that support active women on land and water.
- The Happy Bento: A healthy school lunch and home-delivered meal delivery service on Oahu.
- Wakeful State: A video production company and digital design studio that is stepping into the metaverse.
- Work It Out: A Hawaiian-owned active lifestyle store curated for Hawaii living.
The U.S. Small Business Administration also recently named XLR8HI as a winner of its competitive Growth Accelerator Fund Competition and the only winner from the Hawaiian Islands. GAFC awardees are accelerators and incubators with programs that spur investment and job creation within the innovation economy.
“Federal programs like the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition provide important opportunities for Hawaii small businesses and entrepreneurs to innovate, which is critical for the future of Hawaii’s economy,” said U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a member of the U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, in a statement.
“I want to congratulate XLR8HI on receiving this award. As a strong proponent of the innovation economy, I am excited about the XLR8HI preX program and wish them continued success," she said.
In this latest competition round, the SBA issued a combined total of $5.4 million in prizes through its GAFC and SBIR Catalyst Competitions. XLR8HI is one of 84 national GAFC awardees.
“Congratulations and thank you to XLR8HI and SBA GAFC for bringing these entrepreneurial programs to underserved communities throughout Hawaii," said Hawaii Technology Development Corporation Executive Director Len Higashi in a statement. "It is a crucial part of building a more resilient economy and we are proud to be working together.”
