Peopleʻs Choice of Startup Paradise of the Year Award
This award is for the startup that the Innovation Community believe best represents the interests of Startup Paradise. This company serves as an example for others to follow based on their successes, popularity, and the unwavering support of their fellow community members.
Aloha Modern was dreamt up over pau hana drinks wanting to tell the deep relevant stories of Hawaiʻi in fun ways. As island people, the ocean is what connects us with the rest of the world, Aloha Modernʻs vision is to share a little bit of Hawai'i with every design and product they share.
Ao Organics Hawai‘i formulates its products with ethically sourced ingredients that will treat women’s skin issues and won’t break the bank on their journey to achieve healthy, glowing skin–a.k.a. the #AOGlow. The local brand does just this, all while preserving our ao (earth) with clean and sustainable products. In addition to offering high-quality skincare and sun care products, Owner, Chelsa Davis, believes that it is her kuleana (responsibility) as a Native Hawaiian woman to protect our wai (ocean) and ‘āina (land), all while educating others.
Hele Fitness is a local Hawai‘i fitness equipment company.
Rooted from the work ethics of Hawaiian warriors, Hele Fitness is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art at home gym equipment to businesses and consumers to help achieve their fitness goals. Hele Fitness educates, engages, and enhances lives through movement and community.
Jules + Gem Hawaii is a Hawai‘i lifestyle brand that handcrafts clean and natural hand-poured soy coconut wax candles along with other fragrance products. Jules + Gem prides themselves in selecting and blending their fragrances to create as authentic a Hawaii fragrance experience as possible.
Via Gelato began as a food truck serving artisanal quality gelato with unique flavors inspired by local Hawaiian tastes and people came out to the side of the road and farmer’s markets in lines. One year later, Via Gelato opened a store in Kaimuki with even more flavors than the six that could fit in a truck, and a brightly-lit, family-friendly ambiance.