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Hawaii Angels

For many founders—especially those who have started their companies on our island chain—pitching the Hawaiʻi Angels can be the first opportunity to get in front of "arm's length" investors.

Honolulu, HI, USA

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Description

Hawaiʻi Angels is the state's first and only angel investor network, dedicated to connecting early-stage startups with capital, coaching, and a professional community. Founded in 2002 by Dr. Robert Robinson and Chenoa Farnsworth, the network has invested over $70 million into scalable companies across tech, consumer, and innovation-driven sectors. The network primarily targets early-stage startups, specifically those in the Pre-seed, Seed, and Series A stages. They look for companies that have proprietary technology, strong teams, and large potential markets. 
Founders can submit their startups directly through the Hawaiʻi Angels website. The network reviews over 500 pitch decks annually. 

  • Thematic Focus: While sector-agnostic, their "sweet spot" is post-revenue SaaS and app products, which account for over half of their pitches.
  • Other Sectors: They also invest in tech hardware, consumer packaged goods (food and beverage), and scalable retail and service businesses.

Eligibility

Startups are generally required to have a minimum of $25,000 in committed annual revenue, though exceptions may be made for science or development-focused companies with high R&D needs. Companies must demonstrate national or international scalability with the potential to reach $10 million+ in annual revenue within five years. Top startups from local accelerator programs are often invited to apply. 

Process

  1. Screening Committee: A committee reviews 4–6 selected deals per month.
  2. Monthly Meetings: Approximately two startups are invited to pitch each month at the Pacific Club in Honolulu on the second Friday.
  3. Due Diligence: Following the pitch, members may participate in collaborative due diligence sessions.
  4. Individual Decisions: Members make independent investment decisions based on the collective due diligence findings. 

What an Applicant can Obtain

Applicants can receive strategic investment from experienced Hawaiʻi investors, ongoing mentorship from experts, and access to a network of angel groups and venture capital firm.