Empowering ʻŌiwi Businesses
ABOUT KŪHANA
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is launching another year of KūHana accelerator cohorts. This program helps local and Hawaiian-owned entrepreneurs 1-5 years in operation get clear on their business strategy by hosting a 8-10 week business plan development class with tools, technical assistance, and ample networking. Each business will walk away with a completed business plan, a polished business pitch, and collaboration opportunities with their fellow cohort participants. Prizes are awarded to top performing companies each cohort with either technical assistance, cash prizes, or other forms of capital.
KūHana will have three cohort opportunities in 2022. Graduates of the program may be also eligible for a discounted rate for a business loan with CNHA as well as a one-year business membership with CNHA, as well as ongoing technical assistance services paid for in full or in part by CNHA.
If accepted the fee for this course is $250, with a 50% discount for applicants CNHA Business Membership.
*Partial Scholarships Available*
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is launching KūHana Cohort 8 on May 31, 2022.
All Hawaiʻi-based businesses are welcome to apply. Preference will be given to CNHA members and Hawaiian or minority-owned businesses. Applications due by May 20, 2022.
Interested in joining Cohort 8? Apply today!
Cohort 1
MEET THE GRADUATES
Our inaugural cohort was made up or companies and entrepreneurs from across the pae ʻāina. They were the only cohort to have classes in person, and demonstrated their flexibility and resilience having to move to a virtual classroom.
e hoʻopaʻa
to solidify & make strong
Solidify your foundation! Learn market research, cultural values, and sustainability integration to set a strong foundation from which to grow.
Open to start-up businesses 1 to 4 years in operations.
food systems
kaʻaina kamahaʻo
This cohort will prepare Hawaiʻi businesses in the food and agriculture industry scale and plan for future demand, to achieve resiliency and secure a strong economy.
e kūkulu
to build & grow
Scale up! Learn to grow your company and take it to the next level with culturally-grounded business practices.
Open to developed businesses 5+ years in operations. We are currently seeking applications for Cohort 5.
Since the first cohort, KūHana graduates were able to acquire the following forms of capital with the tools and strategies they learned in the program:
TOTAL $611,309
Grants
$260,000
$75,000
Private Equity
Pitch Competition Awards
$135,000
PPP Loans (Through CNHA Loan Fund)
$78,698
Technical Assistance
CNHA Business Loans
$34,611
$28,000
Mahalo to our funders and community partners for supporting our KūHana businesses by helping them set a kāhua on which to grow.
OUR KŪHANA GRADUATES
"We are so grateful to have been a part of the KūHana Business Program. All of the instructors were truly inspiring and experts in their fields. The program provided us with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to grow our business to a new level while maintaining a foundation of our important Hawaiian values."
— Kailin Kim, Hoʻōla Honey
Meet the Program Manager
G. Max Mukai is a Program Manager at CNHA. He was raised in the East Honolulu Kona District of Oʻahu – He is a proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools class of 2010 and attended Pepperdine University Seaver College undergraduate program and Graziadio School of Business & Management for his graduate program. His passions can be found at the intersection of Hawaiian culture and economic development.
Our Sponsors & Partners
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement
with the U.S. Small Business Administration
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