Fellows mentioned in this story: Meli James

From Aloha State Daily:

Entrepreneurs from across the Islands will be center stage at the Mana Up Showcase 2025.

An in-person marketplace, open to everyone, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 at Bloomingdale’s in Ala Moana Center, although early access tickets can get you in an hour earlier. You can get tickets here.

Mana Up, a business accelerator founded by Meli James and Brittany Heyd, helps Hawai‘i companies expand within the state and globally through a six-month accelerator and alumni program that offers workshops, mentorship and sales opportunities, resources and more.

Its 10th cohort of companies from across the Islands was announced this summer. Just 10 businesses were selected from a record 201 applicants this year.

The showcase is an annual event that spotlights the Hawai‘i-based companies — which now total more than 105 — that have gone through the accelerator program.

“The showcase is all about shining a light on the incredible talent we have here in Hawai‘i,” James said via email. “It’s a chance for people to meet the entrepreneurs behind their favorite local brands, try their products and see firsthand how these companies are helping build a stronger, more sustainable Hawai‘i.”

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