Hawaii FoundHer Program

Native Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Islander women business owners are eligible to apply for this accelerator program which starts in January 2024. In addition to a $20,000 grant, participants will receive a $4,000 stipend to put toward care costs. Applications are accepted until October 31, 2023.

Program At A Glance

  • 6 month duration
  • Start date: March 2024
  • 5 company cohort size

Resources

  • $20,000 grant
  • $4,000 care stipend
  • Weekly educational workshops 
  • National network of business mentors and advisors
  • Monthly retreats for place-based learning and networking opportunities

Who We Serve

  • For-profit small businesses
  • Businesses in their early stages
  • Proof of business concept 
  • 50% AANHPI Women-Led
  • Based in Hawaiʻi

Industries served:

Fashion

Education

Food Systems

Health/Wellness

Technology

Program Requirements

FoundHers are required to:

  • Meet with mentor(s) for 1-2 hours per month
  • Complete monthly and quarterly progress surveys
  • Have one co-founder from their team attend:
    • Virtual educational sessions, check-ins with the program manager, and cohort check-ins
    • In-person program kick-off, retreats, and graduation

Workshop Topics

FoundHerʻs business curriculum is supported by local and national facilitators, experts, and collaborators covering a variety of topics including but not limited to:

  • Business strategy and implementation
  • Branding, marketing, and how-to-pitch
  • How to streamline production and increase sales
  • Expanding wholesale accounts and participating in new markets
  • Increasing confidence in managing a businesses

Highlights

  • 10 company portfolio
  • All companies less than three years old
  • 350 applications to date
  • Cohort 1 tripled average revenue within 1 year of joining the program

Applications open: August 1, 2023 – October 31, 2023