Business accelerator Mana Up selects 2 Kaua‘i companies for 8th cohort

Two Kaua‘i businesses are among 11 selected by Mana Up, an accelerator for Hawai‘i-based consumer brands, for its latest annual six-month program.

Mana Up saw 149 local companies apply for its eighth cohort, interviewed 56, and accepted 11 into this year’s program.

The companies will participate in a six-month accelerator that includes weekly workshops,
curated mentor introductions, access to sales channels and customized goal setting.

“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. “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.”

Accepted Kaua‘i businesses include Hobbs Tea, which offers a variety of organic and sustainably-grown tea from Hawai‘i that helps protect endemic Hawaiian species and their habitats. It was founded by Jamie Chambers Lyons from Kalāheo.

Brianne & Co. is a handmade jewelry line crafted by Brianne Light from Kōloa. Her simple,
minimalist jewelry collection features a variety of materials from local Kaua‘i sea glass
and shells to unique stones, genuine pearls and precious metals.