Scale your growth with Hawaii's best accelerators & incubators
Discover the Behind The Scenes of how everyday start-ups grow into unicorns.
Choosing The Right Accelerator
Start-ups are hard. Choose an accelerator that guides you in the right direction.
"I doubt that Stripe would have worked without YC. It's that simple."
Patrick Collison, Founder, Stripe
"Accelerators claim they are in it for the long haul — I call bullshit"
Chris Lynch, Founder, Atlas Venture
"The network we built with Techstars was incredibly valuable during and after the program."
Raj Aggarwal, Founder, Localytics
What truly matters
Domain expertise > Funding amount
Accelerator’s connections in the industry
Do the alumni rate them truly well?
Look for partners not investors
Discover your perfect match
No accelerator or incubator is perfect for every start-up. Your business’s context and constraints matter. Identify your perfect match by answering this short questionnaire.
Hawaii's Top Accelerators By Neighborhoods
Comparing Accelerators
This page covers the top accelerators and incubators in Hawaii.
However if geography isn’t a hard constraint, and you are only looking for the best incubators and accelerators across the US, check here.
Brief Overview Of Different Accelerators
1) Blue Startups
Blue Startups, founded in 2012 by Henk Rogers, Maya Rogers, and Chenoa Farnsworth, is a Top 20 Accelerator in the US. The organization is dedicated to assisting scalable technology companies in competing globally. Based in Hawaii, Blue Startups aims to foster economic growth and create new business opportunities for entrepreneurs. The accelerator runs a 12-week program accommodating up to 10 companies per session, following a mentor-driven approach that emphasizes lean product development and global go-to-market strategies. Specializing in software, travel & tourism, and sustainability domains, Blue Startups provides pitch development, investor introductions, and access to an extended international network. Some successful alumni include Instant Teams, which raised a $1.5M seed round, and Hostfully, which experienced revenue growth and strategy refinement. Participants benefit from the program's location in Honolulu, Hawaii, access to experienced mentors, and a supportive founder community. Blue Startups has been pivotal in advancing the startup and entrepreneurial culture in Hawaii. Prominent alumni include- Flowater, Volta and Hostfully.
2) Mana Up
This Hawaii-based accelerator program is designed to propel the growth of local consumer brands, specifically in the food, beauty, art, fashion, and home goods sectors. Spanning six months, it consists of an intensive 12-week curriculum that focuses on uncovering high-impact sales opportunities, addressing operational challenges, and fostering executive leadership among participants. Each cohort accommodates ten companies, contributing to a total of 74 alumni to date. An annual Showcase event attracts over 100,000 global viewers, providing participants with an essential platform to pitch their offerings to a wide audience. Graduates benefit from curated mentorship, weekly workshops on various critical topics, and access to valuable tools and resources designed to enhance their e-commerce presence, which has become increasingly important in the current retail landscape. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to sell their products through the retail brand 'House of Mana Up.' Founded by Brittany Heyd and Meli James, the organization aims to elevate Hawaii's local brands, transforming them into successful players on the global stage.
3) Mana Up Capital
Mana Up Capital is a Hawaii-based accelerator that focuses on consumer brands. The 12-week product accelerator program aims to scale products globally, supporting local entrepreneurs to create well-paying jobs. The accelerator runs for six months and targets Hawaii-based product companies looking to expand worldwide through retail and e-commerce channels. The organization's first venture capital fund, established in 2021 with $6.3 million, aids Hawaii product companies in scaling beyond the state. Specializing in supporting products that tell authentic Hawaiian stories, Mana Up also offers the House of Mana Up retail experience, showcasing brands from local entrepreneurs who have gained global recognition. The program enhances sales opportunities, tackles operational challenges, and develops executive leadership. Founded by Brittany Heyd and Meli James, the institution fosters regenerative entrepreneurship, reinvesting in the community for future generations and contributing to Hawaii's economy and talent pool in Finance, Financial Services, and Social Entrepreneurship sectors. Their supporters include Bank of Hawai'i, Hawaiian airlines and more.
4) XLR8UH
XLR8UH is a nationally recognized startup program that operates as a venture accelerator in a public-private partnership between the University of Hawaii (UH) and Sultan Ventures. The accelerator aims to educate, mentor, and invest in UH startups and entrepreneurs, bridging the gap between technology transfer and venture acceleration. It focuses on converting UH's groundbreaking research into new businesses, fostering economic prosperity through science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Forbes has recognized XLR8UH as one of the top 30 accelerators in the U.S. It serves as a hub for UH-affiliated startups. The accelerator collaborates with investors to support its portfolio companies and invests in UH startups. XLR8UH provides a first-of-its-kind Proof-of-Concept Center and Venture Accelerator offering resources, mentorship, and funding to early-stage ventures. Key people involved include founders Omar S Sultan and Tarik Sultan, who have played a crucial role in fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem in Hawaii. Notable portfolio companies include- flywire and cosmos.
5) University of Hawai'I - The Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship
The Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) is Hawaii's Entrepreneurship Hub established in 2000 at the Shidler College of Business, part of the University of Hawaii System (UH). PACE coordinates educational opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation, and commercialization across all 10 UH campuses. They offer experiential programs, an innovative curriculum with an entrepreneurial theme, research projects, and community outreach to engage with entrepreneurs. PACE focuses on fostering the entrepreneurial spirit with an emphasis on an Asian Pacific theme. Additional benefits include mentorship and seed funding for early-stage ventures affiliated with the University of Hawaiʻi.
6) XLR8HI
Hawaii's first proof-of-concept venture accelerator is dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial excellence within the state. The organization serves as a crucial community movement and member network comprising dreamers, builders, and doers. By leveraging Hawaii's unique environmental and industry advantages, it accelerates the development of startups, small businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs. Playing a significant role in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, the institution supports early-stage ventures across diverse sectors. Its focus encompasses industries such as Agriculture Tech, Blockchain, Clean Energy, Fintech, General Tech, and Renewable Energy. The remote-first model enhances flexibility and accessibility, enabling participants to engage meaningfully in this innovative landscape. This accelerator is a vital resource that nurtures Hawaii's innovation community, aiming to create a vibrant and sustainable entrepreneurial environment.
Top Reasons Start-ups Participate In Accelerators
Critical Industry connections
A good connection at an FMCG/AI giant can help you 10x more than connecting with 100 retailers.
Early state financing
Big ideas arise mostly when you don’t have to worry about day to day expenses.
Developing business sense
Which metrics will make or break your start-up?- You can have 100k users and still fail.
Investor connect
Accelerators give an opening to many locked doors.
Why an accelerator might not be right for you
It's usually helpful to consider potential pitfalls. Some common misconceptions
Are the alumni actually helpful?
An accelerator's alumni network can play a big role in your longer term growth. But ask around and figure if any of them gave back even a couple of hours in the past year.
Figuring out the failure rates
Everyone can point to a few success stories. Though in general 95% of all start-ups fail. An important question is- what %ge of an accelerator's start-up survive after 3 years.
Rome wasn't built in 12-16 weeks
Every business needs a strong foundation, but while some businesses can figure the basics in 3 months, others need > 1 year.
FAQs About Start-up Accelerators
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Accelerators and Incubators in hawaii
Looking for the best accelerators in Hawaii? Here are some top reasons to choose an accelerator in the Aloha State. Firstly, accelerators provide invaluable mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources to help your startup succeed. With a strong start-up culture in Hawaii, accelerators can help connect you with like-minded individuals and potential investors to further grow your business. When choosing the right accelerator in Hawaii, consider factors such as the industry focus, program duration, success rate of previous cohorts, and the expertise of the mentors involved. It's essential to find an accelerator that aligns with your business goals and values to maximize the benefits of the program. Notable start-ups from Hawaii that have successfully gone through accelerator programs include Symbio Robotics, Sudokrew Solutions, and Smart Yields. These companies have leveraged the support and resources provided by accelerators to scale their businesses and make a significant impact in their respective industries. Be sure to research and carefully select the best accelerator in Hawaii that suits your business needs and goals for long-term success.
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