2 Kaua‘i companies join Hawai‘i business incubator

XLR8HI, the leading community for Hawaii entrepreneurs, unveiled its sixth cohort of local companies who participated in preX, an investment readiness and business scaling hyper-accelerator program.

The 13 companies represented four different islands, each offering innovative products and solutions aimed at making a positive impact in healthcare, wellness, food & beverage, and sustainability space.

Two of the companies are from Kauaʻi:

• Kealia Organics: Hawaiian soap and body care company offering all-natural products infused with local ingredients.

• Ohana Mana Juice Co: Cold-pressed immunity shots with adaptogenic mushrooms providing a convenient way for people to access healthy affordable alternatives.

“At XLR8HI, our mission has always been to improve the Hawaii ecosystem and better our communities,” managing partner Omar Sultan said. “In the last two years, we’ve joined forces with over 100 Hawaii businesses from various sectors and stages to accelerate their entrepreneurial journeys and reach our collective goal.”

The preX community is diverse and includes accomplished entrepreneurs, investors and experts in Hawaii who are eager to share their proven strategies and help local business owners thrive.

For each cohort, the XLR8HI team carefully selects companies with the goal of creating a unique space that encourages networking and collaboration.

Joy Bitonio – owner of KOMO Studio Hawaiʻi and recent program graduate – said: “PreX was exactly what I needed. In the isolation I felt as an entrepreneur, largely working far more in my business versus on it, I went on a search for mentorship and a network to connect with.

“I don’t think it was a mistake that I landed on the XLR8HI website — this was the universe throwing me a solid! I love that preX is not only led by those with real world experience/expertise to produce and lead a program like this, but that they are people you’d actually want in your circle of influence in general.”

The preX community includes more than 100 businesses and that number continues to grow.

“Our work here is far from over,” Sultan said.

The other companies in Cohort 6 of preX:

• Aiami Coffee: (Oahu) Locally owned coffee company created around producer-level sustainability.
• Balanced Brain: (Oahu) Center for mindfulness and neurotherapy aiming to change the landscape of mental health services by breaking down silos to improve access and quality of mental health care.
• Breach LLC: (Maui) Your go-to partner for sustainable event services and innovative industry products on Maui.
• Coral MED: (Oahu) Healthcare IT company helping medical practices increase revenue through identified missed opportunities while simultaneously reducing admin costs.
• CUT Market: (Maui) A carefully curated, preloved boutique located in the heart of Wailuku.
• Green Vibe Farms: (Oahu) Family farm on the north shore of Oahu growing good stuff from the ground up.
• Huna Health: (Oahu) Hawaii’s only pharmacogenomic consulting service leveraging Hawaii’s precision medicine experts to find the right drug, at the right dose, the first time.
• Kohala Coast Urgent Care: (Hawaii Island) Committed to health equity and doing their best for every patient to improve access to quality healthcare.
• KOMO Studio: (Oahu) First and best local wahine-owned Lagree licensed studio in Oahu helping busy women build strong bodies, minds, and lives with high intensity, low impact, expert led, group fitness classes.
• Maka Butter: (Oahu)Tropical nut butter made better.
• Manu Brewing Co: (Oahu) Delicious and healthy tea option with all the nutrients and benefits of loose leaf māmaki tea, offering elevated experience by carbonating and packaging this delicious herbal tea into ready to drink cans.