Are you a Pacific Islander or Asian woman entrepreneur? A new mentorship program, Hawaii FoundHer, is offering an accelerator program to five eligible women with businesses in the proof of concept stage of development.
The Women and Public Policy Program at the Harvard Kennedy School estimates about 13% of venture capital dollars go to startups with women on the founding team, others have put the investment percentage at lower than 3%.
Still, American Express reports 42% of all businesses in the US are owned or controlled by women.
Now, a local accelerator program is looking to mentor women and mothers running businesses in five key markets: Tech, Fashion, Health & Wellness, Food Systems & Restaurants, and Keiki & Education.
Hawaii FoundHer is aiming to provide funding, childcare, workspace and mentorship to an inaugural cohort of five budding businesses.
They must be for-profit, at the proof of concept stage, at least 50% female, and of Hawaiian, Pacific Islander or Asian descent.
Purple Mai’a Foundation will launch the accelerator in September. Applications will be accepted until July 1.
