Hawaii has a vibrant and growing tech ecosystem which is built on its unique blend of culture and innovation. We've explored the startup landscape across the islands to identify the top investors of Hawaiiand VC firms fueling this momentum. After diving into the latest data and insights, we’ve rounded up the top 10 VC funds in Hawaii that are actively backing the state’s emerging startups.
Here's a table that summarizes the overall VC data for a quick overview:
| VC Firm | Ticket Size | Stages | Founding Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Startups | Up to $250,000 | Seed, Early-stage | 2013 |
| Sultan Ventures | $10K-$50K | Seed | 2009 |
| XLR8UH | $25K - $2.5M | Seed | 2014 |
| Hawaii Angels | Not Disclosed | Seed, Series C | 2002 |
| HTDC | $30K - $250K | Seed | 1983 |
| Kickstart Seed Fund | $250K - $2M | Seed | 2008 |
| Pacific Healthcare Ventures | $25K- $500K | Seed | 2019 |
| Koa Capital Partners | $500K - $3M | Series B | 2012 |
| Reinmkr Satsang | Not Disclosed | Seed, IPO | - |
| Mana Up | Not Disclosed | Early Stage | 2017 |
1. Blue Startups
Blue Startups is a Hawaii-based venture capital firm and accelerator focused on scalable tech companies in SaaS, travel, and sustainability. Founded in 2012, they aim to diversify Hawaii’s economy by connecting startups to global opportunities, bridging the U.S. and Asia. Blue Startups provides mentorship, business expertise, and investor networks to help companies compete on an international scale
- Website : bluestartups.com
- Founding Year : 2013
- Investment Range : Up to $250,000
- Stage : Seed, Early-stage
- Sector : Tech, Tourism, Sustainability
- Geography : Hawaii, Asia-Pacific
- Notable Investments : Volta, FloWater, Instant Teams, Hostfully, Turno
- Submit Pitch/ Contact: Link
2. Sultan Ventures
Sultan Ventures is a venture capital (VC) firm that helps visionary founders turn their ideas into successful businesses. They provide hands-on support, expertise, and connections to investors. Sultan Ventures invests in early-stage startups across various sectors. They mainly focus on long-term growth. They are dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and building a strong startup ecosystem with education, mentorship, and flexible investment structures.
- Website : sultanventures.com
- Founding Year : 2009
- Investment Range : $10K-$50K
- Stage : Seed
- Sector : Tech, FinTech, Life Sciences
- Geography : Hawaii, U.S.
- Notable Investments : Cosmos, Adnoviv, iFirst, Nalu Scientific, Volta
- Submit Pitch/ Contact: Link
3. XLR8UH
XLR8UH is a venture capital (VC) firm that helps entrepreneurs turn innovative ideas in science and technology into successful businesses. They offer mentorship, investor access, and funding to startups. The program supports founders through workshops, pitch practices, and expert guidance. They are dedicated to creating economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship. Their goal is to turn research from the University of Hawaii into thriving businesses and job opportunities.
- Website : xlr8uh.com
- Founding Year : 2014
- Investment Range : $25K - $2.5M
- Stage : Seed
- Sector : Technology, University Innovation
- Geography : Hawaii
- Notable Investments : Radal 3D, iFirst, OiO
- Submit Pitch/ Contact: Link
4. Hawaii Angels
Hawaii Angels is a venture capital (VC) firm that supports early-stage startups by providing funding, mentorship, and strategic guidance. They help promising entrepreneurs, both in Hawaii and beyond by guiding them through the process of raising venture capital. Since 2002, the Hawaiʻi Angels have been proud to support founders in Hawai'i and beyond, with capital and coaching for the venture fundraising process.
- Website : hawaiiangels.org
- Founding Year : 2002
- Investment Range : Not Disclosed
- Stage : Seed, Series C
- Sector : Tech, Healthcare, Consumer Products
- Geography : Hawaii, U.S.
- Notable Investments : Volta, Kiana Analytics, Ardica
- Submit Pitch/ Contact: Link
5. HTDC
HTDC is a VC-backed agency dedicated to growing Hawaii’s tech industry. They provide funding, workspace, and mentorship to help startups succeed. With a focus on innovation, HTDC supports tech companies through grants, networking, and workforce development. HTDC is accelerating the growth of Hawaiʻi’s tech industry, by creating new job opportunities & possibilities for our island residents
- Website : htdc.org
- Founding Year : 1983
- Investment Range : $30K - $250K
- Stage : Seed
- Sector : Technology
- Geography : Hawaii
- Notable Investments : Cythera, Bitlink Solutions, Cardax
- Submit Pitch/ Contact: Link
6. Kickstart Seed Fund
Kickstart Seed Fund is a VC firm that invests in seed-stage startups located in Salt Lake City, Utah. They focus on sectors like SaaS, consumer goods, edtech, healthcare, and marketplaces. They provide capital and strategic guidance to help entrepreneurs grow. Kickstart partners closely with founders by offering a strong network and resources to improve their odds of success. They are dedicated to building a strong startup ecosystem in the region.
- Website : kickstartfund.com
- Founding Year: 2008
- Investment Range: $250K - $2M
- Stage : Seed
- Sector: SaaS, Consumer, Edtech, Healthcare, Marketplaces
- Geography : Utah, Colorado, Mountain West
- Notable Investments: Stance, CloudApp, Cotopaxi
- Submit Pitch/ Contact: Link
7. Pacific Healthcare Ventures
Pacific Healthcare Ventures is a venture capital (VC) firm focused on early-stage healthcare technology companies. They invest in early-stage healthcare technology B2B SaaS platforms that enhance clinical outcomes, streamline workflows, and drive revenue, ultimately improving the lives of patients and clinicians. With a commitment to improving the healthcare industry, they work closely with entrepreneurs to develop advanced solutions that create value for both patients and investors.
- Website : pac.vc
- Founding Year : 2019
- Investment Range : $25K- $500K
- Stage : Seed
- Sector : Healthcare
- Geography : Hawaii, U.S.
- Notable Investments : Winterlight Labs
8. Koa Capital Partners
Koa Capital Partners is a venture capital (VC) firm dedicated to growing local Hawaiian businesses. They invest in companies that have the potential to compete with mainland competitors while supporting the next generation of business leaders. Koa Capital offers funding and expertise to help businesses expand which ensures their success and legacy. They are dedicated to provide strategic growth opportunities and long-term support.
- Website : koacapitalpartners.com
- Founding Year : 2012
- Investment Range : $500k -$3M
- Stage : Series B
- Geography : Hawaii
- Notable Investments : Makai HR, Accel
- Submit Pitch/ Contact: Link
9. Reinmkr Satsang
Reinmkr Satsang is a venture capital (VC) firm that invests in innovative companies from the seed stage through IPO. They provide capital and strategic support to help high-growth businesses to achieve their full potential. Reinmkr Satsang connects entrepreneurs with industry leaders and investors to accelerate growth and success. By creating opportunities for companies, they are dedicated to help them succeed on a global scale.
- Website : reinmkr.com
- Investment Range : Not Disclosed
- Stage : Seed, IPO
- Sector : Not Disclosed
- Geography : Hawaii
- Notable Investments : Not Disclosed
- Submit Pitch/ Contact: Link
10. Mana Up
Mana Up is a venture capital (VC) firm and accelerator that supports Hawaii-based entrepreneurs to grow their businesses globally. They focus on scaling companies that are connected to local culture by providing them capital, mentorship, and growing opportunities. Mana Up is dedicated to creating economic opportunities for Hawaii by promoting local products and generating high-quality jobs, while building a regenerative culture of entrepreneurship.
- Website : manauphawaii.com
- Founding Year : 2017
- Investment Range : Not Disclosed
- Stage : Early Stage
- Sector : Consumer Products, Culture-Based Ventures
- Geography : Hawaii
- Notable Investments : Kauai Kookie, Big Island Coffee Roasters, Hanalei Company
- Submit Pitch/ Contact: Link
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Is VC high risk?
Venture capital is a type of investment that can be risky but has the potential for high returns. However, there is no guarantee of success. Investing in startups is always uncertain, and you might lose your money. Even though VC firms try to minimize risks, investing in startups is always uncertain, and you might lose your money. - What is the best country to set up a VC fund?
If you’re looking to set up a VC fund, many people think the United States has the best venture capital (VC) funds worldwide. This is because the US has a big economy, lots of money available, and many successful startups. - What cities have the most VC investments?
The top five cities for venture capital investment are San Francisco, New York City, Boston, San Jose, and Los Angeles. These cities together receive more than two-thirds (67.5%) of all venture capital investments. - What is the minimum amount for a VC fund?
Venture capital funds usually ask for a minimum investment of $250,000 to $500,000, and sometimes even more. Investing a small amount of money can still cost a lot. These funds are usually only open to wealthy people and big organizations that have a lot of money. - How do I choose a VC fund?
To choose a VC fund, check how much experience and success the venture capital firm has had before. Look at the companies they’ve invested in before to see if they match what your business does. This can help you figure out if they’re a good match for you.
Best of luck with your amazing ventures.
Please note that this list is filtered by various metrics, and all the data are collected through various third-party websites, mostly the VC website. Since data such as ticket size or industry may change, you are requested to visit the official website given in the blog for the latest and updated information.