Akola Project
Akola Jewelry is a Dallas-based non-profit social enterprise that designs and sells handcrafted artisanal jewelry through DTC e-commerce, with manufacturing by hundreds of women artisans in Uganda. One hundred percent of sales are reinvested into artisan wages and education programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersDallas, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Akola Project does
Akola Project, operating commercially as Akola Jewelry, is a US-based non-profit social enterprise (Akola LLC, headquartered in Dallas, TX) that designs, manufactures, and sells artisanal jewelry through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront. The company was founded by Brittany Underwood with the stated mission of employing women in extreme poverty; 100% of sales are reinvested into artisan wages and education programs, primarily through production operations in Uganda. Manufacturing is concentrated at the company's Ugandan production site, where hundreds of women artisans handcraft each piece using traditional techniques and locally sourced sustainable materials including Ankole horn, bone, glass, brass, and abalone. The US office in Dallas handles customer service and commercial operations, with sales executed exclusively through akolajewelry.com — no wholesale or third-party retail channels are utilized.
The product portfolio centers on a unified jewelry line of bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and modular charms. The signature Unlock-it Bracelet and Charm Bar form a modular ecosystem designed for repeat purchase (charm bar additions), while the Natural Collection and seasonal launches (including Summer 2026 and collaborations with designers Lilly Sisto and Nicola Bathie) round out the assortment. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from $52 to $293 with free US shipping on orders $150+, gift wrapping for $5, gift cards starting at $50, and a separate Corporate Gifting program for bulk buyers. Products are marketed through organic social (Facebook, Instagram), influencer collaborations, and earned media coverage in Forbes, Vogue, Elle, Wall Street Journal, Glamour, The Good Trade, and Refinery29.
The business model is a one-time purchase DTC model with no subscription layer; revenue is generated entirely through direct e-commerce transactions plus corporate gifting. Distribution is single-channel (owned storefront), and the brand emphasizes vertical integration from artisan production in Uganda through US-based fulfillment. Akola has raised capital from impact-oriented investors Praxis (2014) and RSF Social Finance (2018), and is led by founder Brittany Underwood as Chairman. The organization employs 101-250 people globally, including the artisan workforce in Uganda.
Akola Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Akola Project
- Legal name
- Akola Jewelry
- Website
- https://akola.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Akola Jewelry is a Dallas-based non-profit social enterprise that designs and sells handcrafted artisanal jewelry through DTC e-commerce, with manufacturing by hundreds of women artisans in Uganda. One hundred percent of sales are reinvested into artisan wages and education programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Akola Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Artisan Jewelry & Accessories
- NAICS
- Jewelry Retailers (458310), Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing (33991)
- SIC
- Costume Jewelry & Novelties (3960), Retail-Jewelry Stores (5944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Designer/Artisan Fashion Jewelry (Independent Brands) (CRAKABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Handmade/Craft Fashion Jewelry (Beaded/Wire/Woven) (CRAKABAD), Custom Fashion/Costume & Alternative Materials Jewelry (CRAKAHAC)
Keywords
Where Akola Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dallas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Akola Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct Jewelry Sales: One-time purchase model for handcrafted artisanal jewelry including bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and charm accessories sold through e-commerce. Products range from $52 to $293. Corporate gifting program also available for bulk orders.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level jewelry pieces under $100 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range statement pieces |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium curated sets |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Akola Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Akola designs, manufactures, and sells handcrafted artisanal jewelry—including bracelets, earrings, necklaces, charms, and stacking bangles—made by women artisans in Uganda from sustainable materials such as hand-carved Ankole horn, bone, glass, brass, and abalone. The brand distributes exclusively through its own e-commerce site, with a corporate gifting add-on and complementary gift cards and gift wrapping services, priced from $52 to $293 per piece.
Product overview
Akola is an artisanal luxury jewelry brand offering handcrafted pieces made by women artisans in Uganda. The product portfolio centers on a unified jewelry line comprising bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and charms, organized into collections including the signature Unlock-it Bracelet, Charm Bar (modular interchangeable charms), Natural Collection (neutral palette pieces), and seasonal releases. The brand also offers complementary services including Gift Cards, Gift Wrapping, and Corporate Gifting programs. All products are handmade from sustainable materials including bone, glass, Ankole horn, brass, and abalone, with price points ranging from $52 to $293 for statement pieces.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Unlock-it Bracelet Signature Akola bracelet with a unique unlocking mechanism featuring seven crystals representing seven words; modular charm system marketed as 'The Piece You'll Never Take Off' for personal style and gifting.
- Nala Dainty Beaded Necklace Handcrafted bone and glass beaded dainty necklace available in Confetti, Black/Coral, Black, and Blue/Bone color variants; part of Akola's regular artisan line.
- Aden Hoop Earring Handcrafted hoop earrings available in Mint and BMU color variants.
- Inaya Hand-Carved Horn Stacking Bangle Set Stacking bangle set of two hand-carved Ankole horn bangles paired with a gold paperclip chain, available in MINT/BLO, BMU, and ORCHID color variants; signature sustainable natural-material piece.
- Hope Drop Earring Handcrafted drop earrings combining red, white, glass, aqua, and bone materials, offered in Aqua, Lilac, Blue/Multi, and Mint variants.
- Anika 3 Strand Necklace Three-strand beaded necklace crafted by Akola artisans; a higher-tier statement piece.
- Maha Beaded Choker Necklace Handcrafted beaded choker necklace available in Black, Confetti, Green, and Blue color variants.
- Lala Beaded Stretch Bracelet Dyed bone stretch bracelet available in White, Lilac, Orange, and Turquoise color variants.
- Acacia Abalone Cuff Bracelet Statement cuff bracelet featuring abalone shell accents; a premium-tier piece in the Akola line.
- Nyla Statement Chandelier Earring Statement chandelier earrings available in Rainbow, Blue, and Blue/Aqua variants.
- Charm Bar Collection Modular charm collection for the Unlock-it system including Petite Fish & Cowrie Horn, Fish Horn, Fortuna Horseshoe, Amour Heart Horn, Amara Small Crystal Heart, and Alba Butterfly charms with designer collaborations (Lilly Sisto, Nicola Bathie).
- Natural Collection Sub-brand collection featuring natural materials including Prianka Beaded Statement Necklace, Hammered Brass Bangle, Olaya Earrings, Anna Statement Charm Earrings, Rhys Heart Bangle in Hand-Carved Horn & Brass, and Zahra Set of 3 Stacking Bangle Bracelets in a neutral palette.
- Akola Gift Card Gift cards offered in denominations starting from $50, allowing recipients to choose their own Akola jewelry pieces.
Companies that use Akola Project
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Akola Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Akola Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Akola Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mejuri: Direct-to-consumer fine and demi-fine jewelry brand with a vertically integrated supply model and similar price band ($50-$500+). Most directly comparable on DTC e-commerce model, target customer (style-conscious women), and direct-to-consumer growth playbook.
- Noonday Collection: Artisan-made jewelry and accessories brand employing artisans in developing countries with a social-impact mission. Closely mirrors Akola's artisan-from-Uganda model, story-led marketing, and impact-driven customer base.
- Pura Vida Bracelets: Direct-to-consumer artisan-crafted bracelet brand with a charitable-giving model and broad retail/wholesale distribution. Comparable on handcrafted artisan product, social-mission brand narrative, and bracelet-led product mix.
- The Giving Keys: Social enterprise jewelry brand employing individuals transitioning out of homelessness, with handcrafted key and charm necklaces. Closely comparable on mission-driven brand positioning, artisan production, and product-led storytelling.
- Aurate: Direct-to-consumer fine jewelry brand targeting modern women with transparent pricing and e-commerce-first model. Comparable on DTC e-commerce channel, women-focused positioning, and accessible-luxury price points.
- Soko: Ethical jewelry brand connecting artisans in Kenya with global consumers via e-commerce. Directly comparable on artisan production geography (East Africa), handcrafted construction, and impact-driven positioning.
- 31 Bits: Social enterprise jewelry brand employing women artisans in Uganda using recycled and sustainable materials. Near-clone of Akola's artisan model, geography (Uganda), materials (paper, brass, bone) and women-empowerment mission.
Emerging players
- Mata Traders: Fair-trade apparel and accessories brand partnering with artisan cooperatives in India and Nepal. Comparable on fair-trade mission, artisan production model, women-empowerment narrative, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce distribution.
- Made Trade: Ethical and sustainable marketplace featuring fair-trade jewelry and accessories from global artisans. Comparable on mission-driven curation, sustainable materials, and ethically-sourced artisan jewelry, though operates as a multi-brand marketplace rather than a single-label producer.
Broad incumbents
- Ten Thousand Villages: Long-established fair-trade retailer offering artisan-made jewelry, accessories, and home goods from global artisan cooperatives. Comparable on fair-trade artisan jewelry category, social-impact mission, and consumer-facing retail of handmade pieces.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Akola Project social profiles
Digital presenceAkola Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Akola Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Akola Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Akola Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Akola Project
What does Akola Project do?
Akola designs, manufactures, and sells handcrafted artisanal jewelry—including bracelets, earrings, necklaces, charms, and stacking bangles—made by women artisans in Uganda from sustainable materials such as hand-carved Ankole horn, bone, glass, brass, and abalone. The brand distributes exclusively through its own e-commerce site, with a corporate gifting add-on and complementary gift cards and gift wrapping services, priced from $52 to $293 per piece.
Is Akola Project a public or private company?
Akola Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Akola Project founded?
Akola Project was founded in 2010. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Akola Project based?
Akola Project is headquartered in Dallas, United States, in the North America region.
How does Akola Project make money?
One revenue line is on record: direct Jewelry Sales.
Who are Akola Project's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mejuri, Noonday Collection, Pura Vida Bracelets, The Giving Keys, Aurate, Soko and 31 Bits. Emerging players are Mata Traders and Made Trade. Ten Thousand Villages is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Akola Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for Akola Project.
What industry is Akola Project in?
Akola Project's product category is Artisan Jewelry & Accessories. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAKABAC, Designer/Artisan Fashion Jewelry (Independent Brands), with a secondary code of CRAKABAD, Handmade/Craft Fashion Jewelry (Beaded/Wire/Woven). Its NAICS code is 458310 and its SIC code is 3960.