Episode 8 – Chenoa Farnsworth
Ashley and Wren sit down with investor and entrepreneur Chenoa Farnsworth to explore innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of Hawaiʻi’s economy. Chenoa shares how her work with Blue Startups helps mentor and invest in Hawaiʻi-based entrepreneurs, particularly in ocean and climate technology. The conversation looks at how incubators support founders through mentorship, training, and investor networks while helping local companies scale beyond the islands.
Ashley, Wren, and Chenoa also discuss the broader vision behind this work, including the need to diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy beyond tourism and the military. Chenoa reflects on the importance of building companies that create meaningful local jobs, encouraging kamaʻāina talent to return home, and supporting women entrepreneurs who remain underrepresented in venture capital. The episode highlights a growing movement toward businesses that balance financial return with community impact while strengthening Hawaiʻi’s long term economic resilience.
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Farnsworth is venture accelerator manager and active angel investor, venture fund partner and start-up advisor. She co-founded and manages Blue Startups, a top 20 U.S. Accelerator (Techcrunch), located in Honolulu, Hawaii. To date, Blue Startups has invested in 140 companies which have gone on to raise over $1 billion 500 in venture capital and included one unicorn IPO (VLTA). For the past 15 years she managed the Hawaii Angels investment network, which has invested over $60 million in over 100 startup companies. In both her personal and professional investment portfolio she invests in and champions female founders.
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@cfarnswo
@bluestartups
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