Fellows mentioned in this story: Meli James

From Aloha State Daily:

Hawai‘i entrepreneurs will soon take the center stage as part of the Mana Up Showcase 2026.

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 11th cohort of companies from across the Islands was announced this summer. Just 11 businesses were selected from a record 256 applicants this year and they'll be introduced during a television broadcast and livestream that premieres on Sunday Oct. 18.

An in-person marketplace will follow from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Bloomingdale’s in Ala Moana Center, although early access tickets can get you in a half-hour earlier.

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