Walking Alongside Hawaiʻi’s Women Entrepreneurs

Every cohort reminds me of something we learned five years ago, when we at Purple Maiʻa first asked ourselves why FoundHer needed to exist: Women entrepreneurs in Hawaiʻi were already doing the work. They were solving problems in their communities, feeding their neighbors, teaching the next generation, often without a business plan, a bookkeeper, or a social media game plan. They didn’t need to be convinced to start. They needed someone to walk alongside them. 

That insight has shaped how we show up. FoundHer wasn't designed to be a traditional accelerator. We don’t chase equity stakes, demand profitable exits, or measure our success by portfolio returns. We exist because small businesses are the lifeblood of Hawaiʻi’s economy, and the women behind them deserve support that honors their culture, their mental wellness, and their family obligations. 

FoundHer supports women-owned businesses grounded in community, culture and ‘āina knowing that when they succeed, the impact ripples in ways that strengthen families, boost local economies, and model a more regenerative way of doing business. We center Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian American communities with distinct histories and strengths, yet shared barriers rooted in colonization and underinvestment. Uplifting cultures that prioritize collective well-being over individual gain is how we transform Hawaiʻi's business sector to best serve the lāhui and pae ʻāina. 

Faces of FoundHer

Seeing STEM fall short on its promises of inclusivity, Loke Tolentino founded Hawaiʻi STEM Labs, which designs hands-on tech experiences accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Her youth programs ensure that disabilities don’t prevent the next generation from becoming excited about and proficient in AI, 3D printing, and robotics. Supporting Loke means investing in a future where no keiki is left behind in the technology revolution. 

During the pandemic, Karishma Kamath left her university position to start Ginger & Turmeric because she loved cooking and sharing her culture with others. Now, through her dishes, she creates opportunities for people to discover the flavors of India, experience how delicious healthy meals can be, and support locally grown organic farmers. Walking alongside Karishma has reminded us that food is culture, and culture is connection. 

Loke and Karishma are two of the thirty-six remarkable women we’ve had the privilege of supporting, each one a problem-solver who saw a gap in her community and stepped up to fill it.

2026: Growing Roots on Hawaiʻi Island

Over the past several cohorts, we noticed that a significant number of our applicants were coming from Hawaiʻi Island, and many of them were working in food systems and agriculture. We realized we had an opportunity to meet these entrepreneurs where they are.

As a result, much of the back half of 2025 was spent preparing to launch our inaugural Kapalili cohort, a Hawaiʻi Island-focused program centered on businesses strengthening agriculture and food security. Karishma is among this first group of Kapalili FoundHers, and her work exemplifies why this expansion matters. Food sovereignty is not an abstract concept here; it is a daily reality for communities that depend on affordable, locally grown, culturally meaningful food. By supporting businesses in this space, we are investing in the resilience of Hawaiʻi Island and the health of all our islands. 

The Numbers Behind the Mission

The impacts of FoundHer vindicate the model. Five years and six cohorts in, the results of a $20,000 non-dilutive grant, a $4,000 ʻohana care stipend, one-on-one mentorship, six months of business training, and the invaluable friendships formed between cohort members speak for themselves. 

• FoundHer businesses are 66% more likely to survive past two to five years than other Hawaiʻi businesses. 

• On average, our companies have doubled their revenue within a single year. 

Collectively, FoundHer cohort companies have 

• Raised over $1 million in follow-on funding

• Hired and trained more than 76 new employees

• Added 113 new wholesale accounts

Behind every data point is a woman who chose to bet on herself and inspired FoundHer to do the same. 

We are honored to do this work because the women in our program were already building something, and they invited us to help. FoundHer’s purpose is to move our companies from surviving to thriving so they can continue to power Hawaiʻi’s economy for generations. Every application we receive, every story we hear, reaffirms what we have always believed: when you invest in Hawaiʻi’s women, you invest in Hawaiʻi’s future.