Congratulations to Our Award Winners!

23rd Annual Hawaii Entrepreneur Awards

It is with great pleasure that we extend our warmest congratulations to all the winners and finalists at the 23rd Annual Hawaii Entrepreneur Awards! Your exceptional talent, hard work, and dedication have truly set you apart, and we are honored to recognize your outstanding achievements. We were thoroughly impressed by the the impact you have made in your respective fields and we look forward to witnessing your continued success.

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2023 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR

Joan Salwen, Blue Ocean Barns

STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Coen Cadinha, Big Boy Sweets

STARTUP PARADISE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Jim Wyban & Jason Ueki, HIplan

INVESTOR OF THE YEAR

Meli James & Brittany Heyd, Mana Up

ISLAND INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

Jalene Kanani, NOHO Home

PEOPLE'S CHOICE STARTUP OF THE YEAR

Emily Jaime, YIREH

AGRICULTURE / CLEAN TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Kylie Matsuda-Lum & Judah Lum, Kahuku Farms

TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Ed Lallier & Pat Cronin, Vanta Development Group

CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Becky Burns, Malia Burns, Bill Kiolbasa, Anahola Granola

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Elden Ito, RVCM

CORPORATE INTRAPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Ed Schultz, Hawaiian Host Group

SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Kaʻala Souza, Digital Ready Hawaii

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You can learn more about the winners and finalists of each category by visiting hawaiibusiness.com.

2023 Award winners & Finalists

Entrepreneur of the Year

Entrepreneur of the Year

The winner of this award is the individual or team that has gone above and beyond expectations with their company. Through sheer determination, this individual or team has built a successful business and serve as a clear example of success to other Startup Paradise entrepreneurs.
Island Innovator of the Year

Island Innovator of the Year

This award is to honor the most impactful innovation that has helped our island state - truly solving a problem in our own backyard, our mountains, our beach, our aina. This innovation inspires and celebrates an innovation, entrepreneur or company that has shown leadership and commitment to tackling a significant problem in our state.
Corporate Intrapreneur of the Year

Corporate Intrapreneur of the Year

The Corporate Intrapreneur creatively challenges traditions and assertively makes changes in their company culture to ensure fellow employees in their environment and their field are engaged and provides the platform to be intrapreneurial. This company encourages intrapreneurs to seize opportunities by solving problems and takes the required actions, utilizing resources to make innovation happen.
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Hawaii Venture Capital Association

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About HVCA

The Hawaii Venture Capital Association represents entrepreneurs, private equity firms, and venture capital firms, with global investment interests.  HVCA membership is open to investors, entrepreneurs, or anyone who may be interested in learning more about Hawaii’s innovative sector.