Mana Up announced this week that it has selected 11 local businesses to participate in the eighth cohort of its product accelerator program.
Founded in 2017, Mana Up aims to help Hawaii consumer brands scale globally, with the goal of helping to diversify the local economy and increase job opportunities. The six-month accelerator includes workshops, curated mentorship, access to sales channels, customized goal setting and more.
Mana Up said in a statement that it has “a history of receiving a record-breaking number of applications with each cohort,” and noted that the trend continued with this cohort, which received 149 applications. From there, 56 went through the interview process before the final 11 were chosen.
“With another year of record-breaking applications, we’re even more convinced of the continuing need and opportunity to support this industry with resources, capital and growth channels,” said Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up, in a statement. “We’ve got an impressive group this year, who will join the Mana Up alumni that generate $61 million in annual revenue in aggregate and are growing on average 33% annually. All of these companies are 100% headquartered in Hawaii, adding jobs, revenue, community giveback and so much more.”
Here are the members of cohort 8:
- Liquid Life Hawaii creates super-food products such as cold-pressed juices and nutraceuticals using locally sourced ingredients. Founded by Ola and Puna Tripp from Hilo on Hawaii Island.
- Hobbs Tea produces organic and sustainably-grown tea. Founded by Jamie Chambers Lyons from Kalaheo on Kauai.
- Brianne & Co. creates handmade jewelry featuring materials including Kauai sea glass and shells, unique stones and precious metals. Founded by Brianne Light from Koloa on Kauai.
- Maui Chili Chili Oil handcrafts small batch Szechuan-style chili oil that contains Maui onions. Founded by Deron and Kit Furukawa from Wailuku on Maui.
- Sweet Land Farm is a goat dairy and farmstead creamery. Founded by daughter-father team Emma Bello McCaulley and Eric Bello from Waialua on Oahu.
- Kakaako Kasuals is a footwear company that provides comfortable slippers and water shoes featuring Hawaii-inspired designs. Founded by mother-daughter duo Napualani and Kiani Wong from Kakaako on Oahu.
- UBAE is a confectionery inspired by Filipino flavors like ube. Founded by Adrienne-Joy and Jeremy Jataas from Honolulu.
- Averylily is an interior design studio curating basics such as bedding, bath and decorative throw pillows for new homeowners. Founded by Avery Solmssen and Lily Kanter from Honolulu.
- Lotus & Lime is a fashion brand with designs inspired by Native Hawaiian and Japanese cultures. Founded by mother-daughter team Kim and Jade-Alexis Ryusaki from Honolulu.
- Hawaiian Rainforest Naturals, Inc creates body care products and spa treatments that utilize locally grown ingredients and are informed by the founder’s training in Hawaiian plant medicine and energy healing. Founded by Melia Goodenow from Keaau on Hawaii Island.
- Hawaiian Soda Co. crafts a healthier alternative to sodas inspired by local flavors. Founded by Caesar and Gina Ho from Honolulu.
According to Mana Up, the companies in cohort 8 represent at least $25 million in annual revenue combined, with 13% bringing in $500,000+, 36% generating $100,000-$500,000, and 51% reporting under $100,000. On average, the cohort companies generate 40% of their revenue from e-commerce and have an average of 3.5 employees. All 11 companies have at least one female founder, and seven are family-owned.
In addition to programming during the course of the accelerator, Mana Up also has a range of other initiatives that support its portfolio of current and past companies, including House of Mana Up, a retail initiative comprised of an online store and brick-and-mortar locations at the Royal Hawaiian Center, Prince Waikiki and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel that feature products from the businesses that have participated in the accelerator. Most recently, Mana Up launched a partnership with Altres to create a new program to provide Mana Up companies with support in hiring and human resources.
To date, a total of 74 companies have gone through the accelerator.
Cohort 8 will begin on May 30. At the end of the program, companies will participate in the annual Mana Up Showcase Nov. 8-9.
