FoundHer Program is sponsored by FoundHer. The FoundHer Program aims to foster the growth of women-founded businesses in Hawaii, supporting underserved AAPI and Native Hawaiian women. It's a 6-month program that offers capital, family care, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities.

Hawaiʻi FoundHer | Business Accelerator for Native Hawaiian & AAPI Women B u i l d B u s i n e s s e s t h a t B u i l d C o m m u n i t y A business accelerator for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian women founders grounded in Hawaiʻi. B u i l d B u s i n e s s e s t h a t B u i l d C o m m u n i t y A business accelerator for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian women founders grounded in Hawaiʻi.

B u i l d B u s i n e s s e s t h a t B u i l d C o m m u n i t y A business accelerator for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian women founders grounded in Hawaiʻi. At FoundHer our goal is to move families from surviving to thriving.

With so many people being priced out of Hawaiʻi, a successful small business can become the economic engine that helps 'ohana stay in their ancestral home and provide that security to future generations. At FoundHer our goal is to move families from surviving to thriving.

With so many people being priced out of Hawaiʻi, a successful small business can become the economic engine that helps 'ohana stay in their ancestral home and provide that security to future generations. Gross Revenue Increase After 3 yrs Follow-on Funding Received Women are leading the way to an alternative vision of business that centers cultural values, supports community, and embodies stewardship.

Yet the imbalance and lack of funding support persists despite the proof that women-owned businesses are less risky investments, have greater ROIs, and their successes empower more people. The FoundHer program provides businesses direct funding injection, ‘ohana care stipends, and essential business workshops through an indigenous cultural lens.

A 6-month business accelerator for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian women founders across Hawaiʻi. Open to all industries. A Hawaiʻi Island accelerator for NHPIAA wāhine building businesses in agriculture, food production, and local food systems.

Grounded in ʻāina values and designed for the next wave of local food makers. “I’m forever grateful and honored to have been selected for Hawaiʻi FoundHer, which has created space, sisterhood, and focus for us Native Women entrepreneurs here in Hawaii. ” "The $4,000 ʻOhana Care stipend from Hawai’i Found Her has been a tremendous support for our growing family.

It allowed us to secure reliable childcare while we participated in our first Merrie Monarch, a major milestone for our small business. Most meaningfully, it’s now helping us maintain consistent care as we prepare to welcome our second child, giving us peace of mind and stability during this important transition." Steffy Simms, Guava Jammies “It has been a joy, and an honor and a privilege being in the FoundHer Program.

I have grown as a person and as a Founder. My business has grown as well. I look at things in a much broader/bigger way.

I see so much potential for growth. I've have learned a lot but I have made friends, which is invaluable. ” Dore Centeio, Kamuela Gourmet "The child care stipend helped me care for my two keiki by easing the financial stress of paying for safe, reliable child care.

It gave me peace of mind knowing they were in a nurturing space while I engaged in learning through our cohort. That support made it possible for me to focus on building a better future for all of us." Noelani Sagapolutele, Waʻa Collective “I’m forever grateful and honored to have been selected for Hawaiʻi FoundHer, which has created space, sisterhood, and focus for us Native Women entrepreneurs here in Hawaii.

” "The $4,000 ʻOhana Care stipend from Hawai’i Found Her has been a tremendous support for our growing family. It allowed us to secure reliable childcare while we participated in our first Merrie Monarch, a major milestone for our small business. Most meaningfully, it’s now helping us maintain consistent care as we prepare to welcome our second child, giving us peace of mind and stability during this important transition."

Steffy Simms, Guava Jammies “It has been a joy, and an honor and a privilege being in the FoundHer Program. I have grown as a person and as a Founder. My business has grown as well.

I look at things in a much broader/bigger way. I see so much potential for growth. I've have learned a lot but I have made friends, which is invaluable.

” Dore Centeio, Kamuela Gourmet "The child care stipend helped me care for my two keiki by easing the financial stress of paying for safe, reliable child care. It gave me peace of mind knowing they were in a nurturing space while I engaged in learning through our cohort. That support made it possible for me to focus on building a better future for all of us."

Noelani Sagapolutele, Waʻa Collective “I’m forever grateful and honored to have been selected for Hawaiʻi FoundHer, which has created space, sisterhood, and focus for us Native Women entrepreneurs here in Hawaii. ” "The $4,000 ʻOhana Care stipend from Hawai’i Found Her has been a tremendous support for our growing family.

It allowed us to secure reliable childcare while we participated in our first Merrie Monarch, a major milestone for our small business. Most meaningfully, it’s now helping us maintain consistent care as we prepare to welcome our second child, giving us peace of mind and stability during this important transition." Steffy Simms, Guava Jammies “It has been a joy, and an honor and a privilege being in the FoundHer Program.

I have grown as a person and as a Founder. My business has grown as well. I look at things in a much broader/bigger way.

I see so much potential for growth. I've have learned a lot but I have made friends, which is invaluable. ” Dore Centeio, Kamuela Gourmet "The child care stipend helped me care for my two keiki by easing the financial stress of paying for safe, reliable child care.

It gave me peace of mind knowing they were in a nurturing space while I engaged in learning through our cohort. That support made it possible for me to focus on building a better future for all of us." Noelani Sagapolutele, Waʻa Collective “I’m forever grateful and honored to have been selected for Hawaiʻi FoundHer, which has created space, sisterhood, and focus for us Native Women entrepreneurs here in Hawaii.

” "The $4,000 ʻOhana Care stipend from Hawai’i Found Her has been a tremendous support for our growing family. It allowed us to secure reliable childcare while we participated in our first Merrie Monarch, a major milestone for our small business. Most meaningfully, it’s now helping us maintain consistent care as we prepare to welcome our second child, giving us peace of mind and stability during this important transition."

Steffy Simms, Guava Jammies “It has been a joy, and an honor and a privilege being in the FoundHer Program. I have grown as a person and as a Founder. My business has grown as well.

I look at things in a much broader/bigger way. I see so much potential for growth. I've have learned a lot but I have made friends, which is invaluable.

” Dore Centeio, Kamuela Gourmet "The child care stipend helped me care for my two keiki by easing the financial stress of paying for safe, reliable child care. It gave me peace of mind knowing they were in a nurturing space while I engaged in learning through our cohort. That support made it possible for me to focus on building a better future for all of us."

Noelani Sagapolutele, Waʻa Collective “I’m forever grateful and honored to have been selected for Hawaiʻi FoundHer, which has created space, sisterhood, and focus for us Native Women entrepreneurs here in Hawaii. ” "The $4,000 ʻOhana Care stipend from Hawai’i Found Her has been a tremendous support for our growing family.

It allowed us to secure reliable childcare while we participated in our first Merrie Monarch, a major milestone for our small business. Most meaningfully, it’s now helping us maintain consistent care as we prepare to welcome our second child, giving us peace of mind and stability during this important transition." Steffy Simms, Guava Jammies “It has been a joy, and an honor and a privilege being in the FoundHer Program.

I have grown as a person and as a Founder. My business has grown as well. I look at things in a much broader/bigger way.

I see so much potential for growth. I've have learned a lot but I have made friends, which is invaluable. ” Dore Centeio, Kamuela Gourmet "The child care stipend helped me care for my two keiki by easing the financial stress of paying for safe, reliable child care.

It gave me peace of mind knowing they were in a nurturing space while I engaged in learning through our cohort. That support made it possible for me to focus on building a better future for all of us." Noelani Sagapolutele, Waʻa Collective Fund the next generation of wāhine entrepreneurs in Hawaiʻi.

Fund the next generation of wāhine entrepreneurs in Hawaiʻi. $4,000 = an ʻohana care stipend for keiki or kupuna care so a founder can participate.

$1,000 = Fund flights for in-person alumna events $4,000 funds one ʻohana care stipend — childcare support so a founder can fully participate $10,000 sponsors one founder through the full 6-month program $25,000 sponsors an entire cohort cohort's stipends for the year We wouldnʻt be able to do what we do without these funders. We wouldnʻt be able to do what we do without these funders. Got more questions?

Send us your inquiry below Got more questions? Send us your inquiry below Got more questions? Send us your inquiry below What are the basic criteria to qualify for the program?

For Profit (structured as an LLC or corporation) Proof of Concept (i.e. Sales, Partnerships, Active Users, etc.) 51% of FoundHers must be women, of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Asian descent, AND based in Hawaiʻi Early Stage (under 3 years of existence) FoundHers’ values align with our own Applications for 2026 programs are now closed. Please follow our Instagram or Linkedin for future program announcements!

How do I know which program to apply for? If you are located on Hawaiʻi Island and have a business operating in agriculture, food production, consumer packaged goods, and other food-related industries you would apply for the Kapalili program. If you are located anywhere in Hawaiʻi you would apply to our Pae ʻĀina program Can you give me examples of businesses in the industries you are targeting?

Food Systems/Restaurants: farms, produce, consumer goods Fashion: accessories, clothing, apparel recycling/disposal programs Health & Wellness: spirituality, beauty products, natural remedies, mental health services, fitness Keiki/Education: children’s toys, education programs or tools, art and art programs I have been in operation for 4 years, but your qualifications say 3 years. Can I still apply?

If you aren’t sure if you meet every program qualification, we encourage you to submit an inquiry, or submit an application. I am not Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native Hawaiian. Can I still participate in the program?

A requirement of our program is that at least 50% of the founders are Asian, Pacific Islander, and/or Native Hawaiian women. How much funding will selected companies receive? Funding amounts will be determined at the beginning of the program.

What is the time commitment for the program? On average, our participants spend 15 hours per week on the program, including curriculum meetings, mentor meetings, and assignments. This does not include the in-person retreats that take place over 1 weekend per-month.

FoundHer is a 6-month business accelerator that provides a non-dilutive grant as part of the program. You are required to fully participate in the programming to receive the grant. What do I do if I have more questions?

Fill out an inquiry at on our contacts page, or email keanu@purplemaia. org with your question.