Overview
Mana Up's accelerator is a six-month intensive program designed to uncover high-impact sales opportunities, tackle operational challenges, and develop executive leadership. Our program includes weekly workshops, connections to a network of industry experts, guidance in crafting an engaging narrative for expansion, and access to distribution and sales channels. The program is results-driven, focused on helping to grow companies and build the infrastructure to support their growth.
The six-month program includes workshops, weekly one-on-one check-in meetings, mentor matching with industry experts based on company need and stage, support on branding & narrative, access to discounted services and resources, introduction to new sales channels, access to capital, and an invitation to sell products through our retail brand, House of Mana Up (both at our brick-and-mortar stores & through our e-commerce store).
Critera
- Hawai‘i-based founder + company
- Retail, beauty, or value-added food product
- Owner has full-time commitment to company
- Elevates Hawai‘i or Hawai‘i brand through authentic connection, resources, or story
- Quality of product + potential for international expansion
- Prefer companies with $100,000 in annual revenue currently
- Centralized resource hub value-added food products
- E-commerce partnerships, guidance and support
- Curated mentor network
- Free & discounted tools and resources
- Coaching around narrative & storytelling
- Sales channels including House of Mana Up
- Inclusion in Mana Up Showcase
- Robust alumni program
Weekly workshops focus on such topics including & much more:
- Building Buyer and Vendor Partnerships
- Marketing and eCommerce
- Igniting Your Audience
- Skills-based sessions focused on key areas of growth (i.e. digital marketing, e-commerce & more)
- Overviews of FREE & discounted resources
- Alumni Advice sessions
Mana Up provides you access to new sales opportunities through our partners, mentors & broader network (domestic & internationally!).
You also have the opportunity to sell your incredible products alongside other successful Mana Up companies through our retail brand, House of Mana Up–online & at our store locations: Royal Hawaiian Center & South Shore Market
Through our suite of digital marketing partners, you gain the knowledge, skills, & connections necessary to scale your e-commerce presence to the next level.
With the increase of consumers’ preference for online shopping during the pandemic, we have doubled down on e-commerce training components of our program.
Showcase
Our annual accelerator program culminates in our epic annual Showcase event. During this event, graduating companies hone in on storytelling in front of a global audience–"pitches" are followed by a marketplace & party! In 2022, we debuted our first hybrid event featuring an in-person party & marketplace, plus a global livestream.
Showcase Successes:
→ Reach 100k+ global viewers
→ Broadcasted on Hawaii News Now & 8 News Now in Las Vegas, plus Japanese-translated livestream
Mana Up stays actively engaged with alumni companies after the program ends! Benefits include:
- New & existing sales channels, partnerships and perks
- Mentorship
- Mana Up alumni network & events
- Access to curated Wayfinders Series program
The cost of the program is based on a percentage of revenue growth.
All companies in our accelerator program MUST:
- Attend ALL 12 workshops
- Attend ALL weekly 30-minute virtual check-in meetings
- Participate in Showcase