2023 Award Winners & Finalists

Entrepreneur of the Year

Entrepreneur of the Year

by Meli James
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

by Meli James
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

by Meli James
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.
Investor of the Year

Investor of the Year

by Meli James
This award recognizes the most outstanding individual or entity that has contributed significantly to investing in the Hawaii startup ecosystem - not only in the literal capital definition, but also in terms of their investment in the community.
Social Impact Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

Social Impact Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

by Jada Lee
The award is intended to honor an entrepreneur or entrepreneurial company that makes a substantial contribution to Hawaii. The award recipient will have contributed to non-profit organizations or community volunteer efforts. The Social Impact Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates those entrepreneurs and companies that have shown leadership, innovation and commitment to being a part of efforts to solve our state’s toughest problems.
Agriculture / Clean Tech Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

Agriculture / Clean Tech Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

by Jada Lee
Honors one of two types of Entrepreneur: one whose company effectively develops or enhances clean technology that helps move society to a cleaner, greener future; and second, a company that further innovates upon current agricultural practices helping local farmers but also has the possibility of global expansion.
Startup Paradise Champion of the Year

Startup Paradise Champion of the Year

by Jada Lee
Startup Paradise Champion is someone who consistently contributes to the startup community. These contributions consist of supporting, promoting and building a successful startup culture and ecosystem in Hawaii.
Tech Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

Tech Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

by Jada Lee
This award is meant to honor the geeky tech entrepreneur whose work has created new technology and innovation to make our lives more efficient, fun or better.
Student Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

Student Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

by Jada Lee
The purpose of this award is to honor our younger members of the innovative community. When picking out a Student Entrepreneur, we want to see if they have the passion for learning new things, the tenacious spirit of an Entrepreneur, can be an inspiration to other young Entrepreneurs, and whether their current company has potential for growth.
Consumer Packaged Goods Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

Consumer Packaged Goods Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

by Jada Lee
This award is presented to the Entrepreneur whose company has consistently seen month over month growth in revenue and customers with a consumer brand based out of Hawaii.
People's Choice of Startup Paradise Finalists

People's Choice of Startup Paradise Finalists

by Meli James

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. 

Deal of the Year

Deal of the Year

by Meli James
This award recognizes the Startup Paradise company that received the largest financial deal during 2022. This can be the closing of a round, a merger, or other type of exit.