Ulupono Initiative

What Ulupono Initiative does

Ulupono Initiative LLC is a Hawaii-based impact investment and grant-making organization established in 2009 by the Omidyar Group, the philanthropic and investment entity of eBay co-founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam Omidyar. The organization operates exclusively in the State of Hawaii and pursues an explicit mission to strengthen Hawaii's self-sufficiency and resilience across four interconnected focus areas: local food production, renewable energy, clean transportation, and freshwater management. It does not sell products or services; instead, Ulupono deploys capital as for-profit investments and nonprofit grants, advocates for policy reform, and commissions research, deployed through the Ulupono Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation and direct balance-sheet investments.

Its "products" are programs and policy initiatives rather than software or physical goods. Notable programs include the DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks (a SNAP-matching incentive), the Biki bike-share system operated by Bikeshare Hawaii (ranked the 6th most-utilized in the U.S.), the Performance-Based Regulation framework approved by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission in December 2020, and the Drive Electric Hawaii coalition. Research outputs include statewide energy opinion surveys and the "Costs of the Vehicle Economy in Hawaii" report prepared in partnership with ICF Incorporated. As of December 2025, the organization had cumulatively funded over $91 million to local efforts and solutions since 2009 and operates with a team of approximately 14 people working closely with nonprofit, for-profit, and government partners.

Ulupono's business model is functionally that of a foundation-style LLC funded by the Omidyar family: there is no traditional pricing model, no licensing revenue, no customer contracts in the conventional sense. Revenue mechanics are grant outflows (the Ulupono Fund at Hawaii Community Foundation) and direct for-profit investments into mission-aligned enterprises (e.g., Kevala, Paniolo Cattle Company, Ho'ahu Energy Cooperative Molokai). Go-to-market is community-led: identify systems-level barriers in Hawaii's food, energy, transport, and water systems; deploy catalytic capital; convene stakeholders; advocate regulatory change; and measure outcomes (e.g., 34% statewide renewable generation in 2023, ~41,000 registered EVs in December 2025, $21.8 billion annual vehicle economy cost quantified). The portfolio spans nonprofits (The Nature Conservancy, Bikeshare Hawaii, MA'O Organic Farms, Aloha Harvest, Zero Waste Oahu) and startups (Carbon Lighthouse, Shake Energy Collaborative), with the operating entity backed wholly by the Omidyar Group. Leadership transitioned in late 2025/early 2026, with Murray Clay stepping down after 14 years and VP of Investments and Analytics Greg Gaug taking the interim president role effective January 1, 2026.

Name

Ulupono Initiative

Legal name

Ulupono Initiative LLC

Website

https://ulupono.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ulupono Initiative is a Hawaii-focused, Omidyar Group–backed impact investment and grant-making LLC deploying capital and policy advocacy across local food production, renewable energy, clean transportation, and freshwater management through the Ulupono Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Impact Investing & Advocacy

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Agricultural Services (700), Hazardous Waste Management (4955)

akta.pro primary industry

Nutrition, WASH & Social Determinants Partnerships (Cross-Sector Health Initiatives) (HLAJAOAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health Equity, Access & Social Determinants Programs (BPAIAJAO)

Keywords

• Impact investing
• Nonprofit grantmaking
• Renewable energy advocacy
• Sustainable transportation
• Local food production

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. For-profit investments, nonprofit grants, and social outreach: Ulupono Initiative provides for-profit investments, nonprofit grants, and social outreach aimed at harnessing good and inspiring catalytic change for Hawaii. The organization is funded by the Omidyar Group and deploys capital through various funding mechanisms including the Ulupono Fund at Hawaii Community Foundation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ulupono Initiative is a Hawaii-focused impact investment and grant-making organization that deploys patient capital — via for-profit investments, nonprofit grants (through the Ulupono Fund at Hawaii Community Foundation), policy advocacy, and commissioned research — to advance four focus areas: locally produced food, renewable energy, clean transportation, and freshwater management. Its "products" are programmatic initiatives such as the Biki bike-share system, DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks, Performance-Based Regulation framework, Drive Electric Hawaii coalition, and WAI wastewater alternatives, plus research reports like the Statewide Energy Survey. The organization is funded by the Omidyar Group and works with nonprofit, for-profit, and government partners.

Product overview

Ulupono Initiative is a sustainability impact organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs, investments, grants, and research initiatives rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings span four focus areas: renewable energy (including geothermal and solar projects), clean transportation (bike-share, EV adoption, multimodal transportation research), local food production (DA BUX food incentive program, farm investments), and freshwater management. The organization operates through four programmatic approaches: Community engagement, Investments (for-profit and nonprofit grants), Policy advocacy, and Research. Key named products include the Biki bike-share system, DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks program, Performance-Based Regulation framework, Drive Electric Hawaii coalition, and WAI wastewater initiative, all unified by the organization's mission to strengthen Hawaii's self-sufficiency and resilience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ulupono Fund: A donor-advised fund at the Hawai'i Community Foundation through which Ulupono Initiative recommends grants to nonprofit organizations and community partners advancing local food production, renewable energy, clean transportation, and freshwater resources.

Products and services

• DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks A SNAP matching incentive program that doubles the purchasing power of SNAP participants when they buy locally grown produce in Hawai‘i, supported by Ulupono's state funding advocacy.
• Biki Bike-Share System (Honolulu) Honolulu's bike-share system operated by Bikeshare Hawaii and supported by Ulupono to provide affordable, convenient multimodal transportation and reduce vehicle emissions.
• Performance-Based Regulation Framework A utility regulatory framework championed by Ulupono and approved by the Hawaii PUC in December 2020 to accelerate renewable energy innovation and ratepayer value from Hawaiian utilities.
• Drive Electric Hawaii Coalition A coalition of private, nonprofit, and government partners convened to promote electric vehicle adoption and clean transportation in Hawai‘i, with Ulupono as an active member.
• WAI: Wastewater Alternatives and Innovations Grant-supported initiative implementing new technologies and stakeholder convenings to reduce wastewater discharge from cesspools and protect Hawai‘i's freshwater resources.
• Statewide Energy Survey (Annual Research Initiative) Annual public opinion survey series conducted with Anthology Research that examines Hawai‘i residents' views on energy options, costs, and the transition to renewable energy, informing Ulupono's policy work.
• The Costs of the Vehicle Economy in Hawaii (Research Report) Commissioned report by ICF Incorporated, LLC quantifying Hawai‘i's $21.8 billion annual vehicle transportation system costs to inform transportation investment decisions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $140 million in secured funding for Hawaii organizations over the last decade through grant writing support
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Hawaiian ElectricmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Hawaiian Electric and Ulupono Initiative filed a joint request for a rate hike. This partnership represents significant collaboration on energy policy and utility regulation affecting Hawaii's electricity consumers.
• Hawaii Agricultural FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2025Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations expanded its Hele Imua internship program into the private sector through partnership with Hawaii Agricultural Foundation and Ulupono Initiative. The program supports Hawaii's agricultural workforce by providing hands-on experience to young people.
• Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2025DLIR partnered with Hawaii Agricultural Foundation and Ulupono Initiative to expand the Hele Imua internship program to the private sector, supporting agricultural workforce development.
• The Nature ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2025The Nature Conservancy received a three-year $125,000 grant from the Ulupono Fund at Hawaii Community Foundation to develop innovative tools and advance policies supporting viable wastewater conversion to protect Hawaii's people, fresh water supplies and marine life.
• Drive Electric HawaiicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrive Electric Hawaii is a cross-section of private, nonprofit and government coalition members formed in 2016 to promote the use of electric vehicles. Ulupono is an active member, participating in events and advocacy.
• Ho'ahu Energy Cooperative MolokaimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUlupono helped support Shake Energy and the Ho'ahu Energy Cooperative Molokai to build the island's first community solar project through the Community-Based Renewable Energy program.
• Shake Energy CollaborativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShake Energy Collaborative is a woman-owned renewable energy development public benefit corporation that Ulupono supported in developing community-based renewable energy projects on Molokai.
• Bikeshare HawaiicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUlupono helped establish Honolulu's Biki bike-share system, which is now the 6th most utilized system in the country. The program provides an affordable, convenient transportation choice while reducing vehicles on road and emissions.
• ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerICF is a global consulting services company internationally recognized for expertise in transportation assessment, benefit-cost analysis, greenhouse gas mitigation, and climate resilience planning. Prepared reports for Ulupono including 'The Costs of the Vehicle Economy in Hawaii.'
• Honolulu Theatre for YouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUlupono partnered with Honolulu Theatre for Youth to sponsor an 'Energy Episode' of their TV series 'The HI Way,' focusing on energy efficiency and moving Hawaii toward clean, renewable energy.
• Mana PacificminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMana Pacific is a Maui-based public benefit energy development company selected by the community through a virtual interview process to partner with Shake Energy on Molokai community solar projects.
• The Kohala CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kohala Center is providing technical assistance for the Ho'ahu Energy Cooperative, supporting the development of community-based renewable energy on Molokai.
• Zero Waste OahuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero Waste Oahu received a $25,000 grant from Ulupono for their Full Cycle reusable container program aimed at reducing takeout waste in Hawaii.
• Better Block HawaiiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Kaimuki parklets project - repurposing parking spots to prioritize people in outdoor spaces, transforming businesses and community.
• Hawaii State Department of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUlupono received the 2021 NASDA Public-Private Partnership Award in recognition of partnerships with the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture supporting local farmers and increasing local food production.
• Hawaii Public Utilities CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUlupono championed the Performance-Based Regulation framework, which was approved by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission in December 2020 to accelerate renewable energy innovation and utility efficiency.
• Governor Josh GreenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernor Josh Green partnered with Ulupono Initiative as part of the Governor's Investing in Hawaii's Future initiative to maximize federal funding for the state through tailored technical assistance.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Elemental Excelerator: Hawaii-based climate impact investor funding startups addressing climate, energy, transportation, and water challenges. Directly comparable impact investment model with similar focus verticals and Pacific-region orientation.
• Blue Planet Foundation: Hawaii-based clean energy advocacy nonprofit working toward 100% renewable energy. Directly comparable mission and Hawaii-focused advocacy approach, with overlap in renewable energy and policy advocacy areas.
• Hau'oli Mau Loa Foundation: Hawaii-focused grant-making foundation supporting community, environment, and education causes. Comparable Hawaii-focused philanthropic model addressing similar social and environmental determinants.
• Hawaiian Community Foundation: Hosts the Ulupono Fund and serves as the primary grantmaking vehicle for Ulupono Initiative. Directly comparable Hawaii-focused grantmaking infrastructure with similar community foundation model.

Peers

• The Nature Conservancy (Hawaii):

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ulupono
• Facebookfacebook.com/ulupono
• Instagraminstagram.com/gobikihi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ulupono-initiative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ulupono Initiative