Hawaii-based product accelerator Mana Up has announced the 11 business owners that will make up its seventh cohort.
The newest cohort was chosen out of 138 local businesses — 57 of whom made it to the interview stage — Mana Up's largest applicant pool yet, according to officials. About 28% of the businesses selected were started since the beginning of the pandemic.
The seventh cohort of the six-month program will begin Tuesday, May 31 and will end with Mana Up's annual showcase event on Thursday, Nov. 3.
“The increasing number of applications shows the strength of the pipeline for Mana Up and that the industry is growing," said Meli James, cofounder of Mana Up, in a statement. "We found that 44% of applications came from companies that have started since Mana Up launched in 2017 and have an increasing focus on e-commerce.
"We are happy to see this trend over the last several years and it has led us to develop additional programs for earlier stage companies, including our Hawaii Rising program in partnership with Build Native with Shopfiy and Power Up Your Business program in partnership with YWCA," James said.
Here are the 11 companies in Mana Up's 7th cohort:
- Advance Wildlife Education, founded by Che Katsu Frausto of Paia on Maui, creates a line of educational products to promote Hawaii’s endangered wildlife, outreach and information
- ava + oliver, founded by Emma Wo of Honolulu, designs baby lifestyle products made with 100% non-toxic food-grade silicone and vegan leather
- David Shepard Hawaii, founded by David Shepard of Oahu, is an aloha wear design company featuring hand-drawn artistic representations of native Hawaiian plants
- Haku Maui, founded by Britney Texeira from Makawao, Maui, specializes in traditional Hawaiian lei and lei making workshops
- Kauai Sweet Shoppe, founded by Chloe Blake and Kalei Marston from Lihue, Kauai, is a small batch confectionery manufacturer specializing in handcrafted caramels and chocolates
- Lexbreezy Hawaii, founded by Alexis Akiona of Oahu, designs aloha wear and resort wear with a modern twist, reflecting local culture.
- Malama Mushrooms, founded by Benjamin Lillibridge from Kona on Hawaii Island, is a food company that creates wellness products using superfood mushrooms.
- Po Naturals, founded by Alohilani Keohuloa from Kohala on Hawaii Island, combines ancient Hawaiian medicine and holistic practices to handcraft herbal body care products
- Revive Glassworks, founded by Matt Laundrie on Maui, turns repurposed glass bottles into new products
- Surf Shack Puzzles, founded by Mahina Tuteur of Oahu, is a puzzle company highlighting Hawaii-inspired artwork designed by female artists
- Tag Aloha Co., founded by Alana Penaroza, Kainoa Penaroza and AJ White from Kailua, Oahu, is a lifestyle brand offering a growing array of locally inspired products including bags, pareos, hats and pillows
“We’re always happily surprised by the quality and ambition that each cohort brings to Mana Up," said Brittany Heyd, cofounder of Mana Up, in a statement. This cohort highlights sustainability, the environment and culture through their products, hitting on global trends that put Hawaii at the forefront. We couldn’t be more excited to work with this year’s impressive group of entrepreneurs, and be part of their journeys as they grow to global markets."
