Hawaii Entrepreneur Award Winners

2024 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Brenton Grimes & Gorey Goff, reef.ai, Inc
 
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Nakeʻu Awai, Nakeʻu Awai Designs
 
STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Amelia Stucker & Adam Sullivan, Zingipop Sodaworks
 
STARTUP PARADISE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Susan Yamada, The Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE)
 
INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
Donavan Kealoha, Startup Capital Ventures x SBI Fund
 
ISLAND INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Claire Sullivan & Rob Barreca, Farm Link Hawaiʻi
 
PEOPLE'S CHOICE STARTUP OF THE YEAR
Tiara Delgado, Kahiau Poke & Provisions
 
AGRICULTURE / CLEAN TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Gunars Valkirs, Maui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate
 
TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Ricky Uy, KOMODO HAWAI'I
 
CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Sandra Gibson & Mel Kelekolio, Kona Salt Farm Sea Salts of Hawaiʻi
 
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Alexis Akiona, Lexbreezy Hawaii
 
CORPORATE INTRAPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Micah Kāne, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF)
 
SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Jeff Gilbreath, Hawaiʻi Community Lending

 

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

2022 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Assaf Karmon & Timothy Roy, TurnoverBnB
 
STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Anthony Lopez & Craig Opie, Pulse Utility
 
STARTUP PARADISE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Paul Yonamine, Central Pacific Bank
 
INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
Kā'eo Duarte, Kamehameha Schools
 
ISLAND INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Brian Glazer, Hohonu
 
PEOPLE'S CHOICE STARTUP OF THE YEAR
Jared Kushi, Taylor Martin, Kamaka Dias, & Callie Martin
 
AGRICULTURE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Nick and Miki Vericella, Pawniolo Pets
 
TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Cyril Moukarzel, LifeDNA
 
CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
William Davis, Vitalitea Hawai'i
 
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Bella Hughes, Shaka Tea Hawai'i
 
CORPORATE INTRAPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
John De Fries, Hawai'i Tourism Authority

 

SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Mālia Sanders & Mondy Jamshidi Kent, travel2change X Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association

2021 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Scott Mercer, Volta Charging
 
STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Peter A. Hessler, Pono Potions
 
STARTUP PARADISE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Hawaii Technology Development Cooperation
 
INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
Keoni Lee & Lisa Kleissner, Hawaii Investment Ready 
 
ISLAND INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Kimie Miner & Scotty Wilks, Haku Collective 
 
PEOPLE'S CHOICE STARTUP OF THE YEAR
Reyn Mukawa & Malia Ka’aihue, Aloha Modern 
 
AGRICULTURE / CLEAN TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Joan Salwen, Blue Ocean Barns 
 
TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Lisa Rodewald & Erica McMannes, Instant Teams 
 
CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Amber Thibaut, Coco Moon 
 
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Jason Cutinella, NMG Network 
 
CORPORATE INTRAPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Barron Guss, ALTRES Inc. 
   

SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Dana Shapiro, Hawaii Ulu Cooperative

2020 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Brandon Millstein, Carbon Lighthouse

STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Cassidy Crowley, The Baby Toon

STARTUP PARADISE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz

INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
Vassilis Syrmos, University of Hawai'i's Vice President for Research & Innovation

ISLAND INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Jake Muise & Ku'ulani Muise, Maui Nui Venison

PEOPLE'S CHOICE STARTUP OF THE YEAR
Ashley Johnson, Mohala Eyewear

AGRICULTURE / CLEAN TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Naveen Sikka, TerViva

TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Assaf Karmon and Tim Roy, TurnoverBnB

CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Kelleigh Stewart & Brandon von Damitz, Big Island Coffee Roasters

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Roxell Cho, FUSED Hawaii

CORPORATE INTRAPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Ed Sniffen, Hawaii Department of Transportation, Highways Division

SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Rob Barreca

2019 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Rich Razgaitis, FloWater

STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Rose Wong, Kolohe Ocean Gems

STARTUP PARADISE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Karl Fooks, Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation

INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
Henk Rogers, Maya Rogers, Chenoa Farnsworth, Blue Startups

ISLAND INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Brynn Foster, Voyaging Foods

PEOPLE'S CHOICE STARTUP OF THE YEAR
Keoki Tavares, Aloha Elixir

AGRICULTURE / CLEAN TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Brenden Millstein & Louis Concato, Carbon Lighthouse

TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Andrew Fowers, Shaka Guide

CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Dylan Butterbaugh, Manoa Chocolate

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Steve Haumschild, Lanikai Brewing Company

CORPORATE INTRAPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Peter Fukunaga, Hui Car Share

SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Josiah ʻĀkau, Kinai 'Eha

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Zachary Hester, Lawrence Hester, FareHarbor


2018 Winners

  DEAL OF THE YEAR
Noa Botanicals

STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Tom Knapp-Ramos

STARTUP PARADISE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Rep. Jarrett Keohokalole

INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
Ian Wetzel

ISLAND INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Aaron Ackerman

PEOPLE'S CHOICE STARTUP OF THE YEAR
Cropsticks by Cropmade

AGRICULTURE / CLEAN TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Olin Lagon & Forest Frizzell

TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Luke Joseph

CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Hawaiian Vanilla Company

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Manaola Group (Carrington Ed

CORPORATE INTRAPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
John Komeiji

SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Altima Coding (Sumil Thapa and Ian Kitajima (co-leads), Lauren Nahme, Stacy Clayton, Aaron Kagawa, Keith Matsumoto, Edwin Ju, Robert Lee, Man Chon Kuok, Kayla Diniega

2017 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Volta Charging

STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Kyle N. Chang

STARTUP PARADISE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Burt Lum & Ryan Ozawa

INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
Dawn Lippert & Jill Sims

ISLAND INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Henk Rogers

PEOPLE'S CHOICE STARTUP OF THE YEAR
KMBCo

AGRICULTURE / CLEAN TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Bobby Farias & Jack Beuttell

TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Alex Cabello

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Tina Fitch

CORPORATE INTRAPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Ian Kitajima

SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Purple Mai'a (Donavan Kealoha)
LIFE SCIENCE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
 Jeffrey Yu

2016 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Stem, Inc.

STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Traven Watase

LIFE SCIENCE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Elliot Parks

STARTUP PARADISE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Senator Glenn Wakai

INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
Richard Wacker

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Garrett W. Marrero

TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Daniel Nash & Sean Hookano-B

AGRICULTURE / CLEAN TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Vincent Kimura

PEOPLE'S CHOICE STARTUP OF THE YEAR
HobNob

SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Samantha Kimsey

2015 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
TruTag Technologies Hank Wuh

STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Kevin Shin

LIFE SCIENCE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
David Watumull

INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
Omar Sultan and Tarik Sultan

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Steve Baker

TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Alex Bergo & Viil Lid

AGRICULTURE / CLEAN TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Michael Pfeffer

SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Shanah Trevenna

2014 Winners

LEGACY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
David Watumull

2013 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Darren Kimura, Sopogy

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
Elyse Petersen, Tealet

INVENTOR ENTREPRENEUR
Ken Berkun, Labels That Talk

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR
Scott Mercer, Volta Industries

SOFTWARE ENTREPRENEUR
Dan Leuck, Contix

LEGACY ENTREPRENEUR
David Watumull, Cardax Pharmaceuticals, Hawaii Biotech

2012 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Tetris Online Inc.

2011 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Tim Dick, Adama Materials
Dr. Peter Schneider & Robert Giasolli, Innovasc
Kelly & Bob King, Pacific Biodiesel Inc.

2010 Winners

CLEAN TECH ENTREPRENEUR
Cully Judd, Inter-Island Solar Supply

SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR
Peter Cannon, Hawaiian Resources Co. Ltd.

INVENTOR ENTREPRENEUR
Dr. Peter Schneider, Innovasc
 
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR
Justin MacNaugton, Green Car Hawaii

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
John Dean, Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawaii

2009 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Pipeline Micro

OTHER HONOREES
TalkStory Productions
Keahole Solar
Kuehnle Argro Systems
I Love Photos
Avatar Realty

2008 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Sopogy
OTHER HONOREES
Jason Lau, Talk Story Productions
David Watumull, Cardax Pharmaceuticals
uBoost

2007 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Hoana Medical Inc.
OTHER HONOREES
Hawaii Nano Sciences
Hawaii Biotech
Cardax
Assist Guide
Sopogy

2006 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Hawaii Super Ferry
EXIT OF THE YEAR
Henk Rogers, Blue Lava Wireless

2005 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Kona Blue Water Farms
Science & Technology International
OTHER HONOREES
Assist Guide
Hawaii Biotech
Hoana Medical
Hoku Scientific
Pipelinefx
Worldwide Energy Group

2004 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Hoku Scientific Inc.

2003 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
Pacific Biodiesel, Inc.

2002 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
4Charity

2001 Winners

DEAL OF THE YEAR
HotU