A group of Hawaii entrepreneurs will share their products — and the stories behind them — in Mana Up’s annual Showcase event.
The showcase returns Nov. 3, with a livestream via Facebook and YouTube, and, for first time since 2019, an in-person event held at Bloomingdale’s in Ala Moana Center. The livestream begins at 2:30 p.m., with the in-person component to follow at 4:30 p.m.
A Hawaii-based product accelerator, Mana Up helps local companies scale globally, with the underlying goal of fueling economic growth statewide. The initiative was founded by Meli James and Brittany Heyd in 2017. To date, 74 companies have graduated from the six-month accelerator.
In the annual showcase, Mana Up highlights businesses that have gone through its program, with this year’s event featuring entrepreneurs from Cohort 7.
The event is a “celebration of local businesses,” Mana Up said in a statement.
“The 90-minute live-streamed show will highlight 11 Hawaii entrepreneurs who will share their stories in three-minute ‘pitches’ – including those from a Maui-based traditional Hawaiian lei maker and a second-generation modern aloha wear designer. … In a weaving of entrepreneur pitches filmed from across the Hawaiian Islands with live interviews and performances, the Mana Up Showcase highlights untold stories in a travel-show style format with the excitement of a live event.”
Entrepreneurs featured in this year’s showcase include:
- Advance Wildlife Education
- ava + oliver
- David Shepard Hawaii
- Haku Maui
- Kauai Sweet Shoppe
- Lexbreezy Hawaii
- Malama Mushrooms
- Po Naturals
- Revive Glassworks
- Surf Shack Puzzles
- Tag Aloha Co.
The event will be hosted by local comedian Tumua Tuinei and will feature live entertainment, including a performance by award-winning singer-songwriter Paula Fuga. Up-and-coming musicians affiliated with Haku Collective, the local talent production company founded by Kimié Miner, also will take the stage.
In-person attendees at Bloomingdale’s will have the chance to network with local entrepreneurs, shop a marketplace filled with goods from more than 40 Hawaii businesses, and enjoy a reception with music, food and drinks.
Participants of both the in-person and livestreamed events will have a chance to access giveaways, prizes and limited-edition products.
For more information and to reserve a spot for either event, click here. (In-person event registration is separate from the virtual event.)
For those unable to attend, The Mana Up Showcase will also air on Hawaii News Now at 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 20.
