In ecologically balanced societies, culturally-embedded technologies enhance and serve sustainable, living systems that provide health and well-being for ʻāina and people, now and into the future.”

That is the vision the Purple Maiʻa Foundation set out to work towards in 2016 when we launched the Purple Prize as a pilot competition designed to push the limits on the way technology facilitates and amplifies the values of Aloha ʻĀina, which means “love of the land,” a central idea of Hawaiian thought and culture emphasizing connections between land, people, and communities.

After four years, evolving from a pilot competition to an accelerator, this vision has materialized into some exciting results…

Ideas // Companies // Founders

Financials

Community // Environmental // Social Impact

¹ ʻŌhiʻa lehua is a species of flowering evergreen tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that is endemic to the six largest islands of Hawaiʻi. (source)

A handful of the companies we’ve worked with have the potential to do immense good for our community and generate significant value, leading to a more vibrant local innovation economy in the form of jobs, livelihoods, and Hawaiian leadership.

As a result, our team is taking a moment to pause on the Purple Prize program to grow our meʻe (champions) in Mālama, our new Venture Studio. 

If you are interested in learning more about our impact, joining active Purple Prize teams, mentoring, or investing in Purple Prize companies, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing alec@purplemaia.org.

If you are interested in indigenous innovation, design, or are an aspiring local tech founder, please consider applying to Ka Maka ʻĪnana.