Advisor on Entrepreneurship & Economic Empowerment
Meli
James
Building Hawaiʻi's entrepreneurial ecosystem and opening doors for the next generation of founders.
About Meli
Meli James is the Co-Founder of Mana Up and General Partner of Mana Up Capital, a Hawaiʻi-based venture capital fund investing in high-growth consumer brands. Through its accelerator, venture fund, and retail platform, Mana Up helps local entrepreneurs scale their businesses, build globally recognized brands, and create new economic opportunities for Hawaiʻi. She also serves as President of the Hawaiʻi Venture Capital Association, championing innovation, investment, and the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Meli spent more than a decade in Silicon Valley, where she co-founded multiple startups before returning home to help grow Hawaiʻi's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Beyond Mana Up
A passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and women in leadership, Meli believes in the power of mentorship, authentic storytelling, and meaningful connections to open doors and create opportunities for others.
Recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of its "Women to Watch" and among the women leaders disrupting entrepreneurship, Meli serves on several boards, including Maui Divers Jewelry, UHA Health Insurance, the Alaska Airlines Hawaiʻi Community Advisory Board, and Chaminade University's Board of Regents. She is a 2020 Omidyar Fellow and a graduate of Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration.