Latest Press Release – Feb 29, 2025
What is HI-CAP?
In 2022, $62 million in federal funding was secured to expand access to capital for small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs in Hawaiʻi. The funding will be deployed over a period of seven years until 2030.
The HI-CAP program is funded by the U.S. Treasury for the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), a part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The program is jointly managed by HTDC and the Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA). Both state agencies are attached to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).
Eligibility
Learn who can apply for capital assistance loans through HI-CAP.
Businesses
Most businesses are eligible for HI-CAP loan programs and must meet State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) guidelines as dictated by the U.S. Treasury. As a department of the Treasury and Hawaiʻi state objective, HI-CAP will be targeting small businesses and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) business owners. See next section for complete list of loan programs.
Programs Administered by HTDC
For questions about the HI-CAP Invest program, please email hicap@htdc.org with any questions. Also see our notice regarding conflict of interest and SSBCI insiders.
| Program Name | Administered by | Description | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| HI-CAP Invest | HTDC | Suited for managers of venture capital (VC) funds. This “Funds-of-Funds Venture Capital” program is designed to invest in high quality investment managers with the capacity to mentor and advise entrepreneurs and facilitate follow-on investments. If you are a VC fund interested in being considered for HI-CAP Invest, please apply. | Apply for the HI-CAP Invest Program |
Loans Offered by Our Partners
Additional offerings for capital assistance are also available. Depending on the offering that would be most helpful to your business, the application will be done through our administrative partners and the process will vary per program. For instance, if you are interested in HI-CAP collateral, you will apply for capital assistance through your local bank. See each link below for details on how to apply.
| Program Name | Administered by | Description | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| HI-CAP Collateral | Our local financial institutions | Suited for small businesses and nonprofits where collateral is needed to be approved for a loan. The state will work with local financial institutions to provide collateral to help you secure the loan. | Apply for the HI-CAP collateral program |
| HI-CAP Loans | HGIA | Suited for businesses and non-profits spearheading transformative projects with community impact. The state will lend capital to help bring eligible projects to reality. Projects considered transformative include (but are not limited to) those in renewable energy, innovation, local agriculture, dual-use technology, manufacturing, or creative industry projects that spur economic development. | Apply for the HI-CAP loans program |
| HI-CAP Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Loan Pool Program | Our network of CDFI partners | Suited for small businesses requiring micro loans. The state will work with Hawaiʻi’s CDFI’s to provide capital, which will in turn serve as loans to Hawaiʻi’s small businesses. If you are a business, your application will be done through a CDFI. Please email dbedt.hicap-loans@hawaii.gov with any questions. | If you are a CDFI that is considering participating, learn about the application process and apply. |
Are There Other Forms of Assistance for Companies?
Yes, the HI-CAP is currently working on the structure of the Technical Assistance program (TA), a grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury for the purpose of providing legal, accounting, and financial advisory services to companies who intend to participate in the HI-CAP program or other federal programs that support small businesses. Those eligible for this grant award will become TA program providers and will be required to provide legal, accounting, or financial advisory services.
When the TA program is activated, small businesses will be able to:
The TA program is meant as a stepping stone for small businesses who do not know where to start in the event that they are interested in applying for a federal small business program. Upon approval of the State of Hawaiʻi’s TA plan by the Treasury, more information on the program will be announced publicly. Please contact the providers below directly for technical assistance service.
1. Hawaii Small Business Development Center (HSBDC). [Servicing Oahu and neighbor island businesses]
Claire E. Doi: claire.doi@hisbdc.org
Hawaii SBDC
Oahu Center
Mobile: (808) 854-0765
Office: (808) 945-1430, ext. 101
2. City & County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization (OER) [Servicing Oahu businesses only]
Alyssa Goslee: obc@honolulu.gov
https://oahubusinessconnector.org/state-small-business-credit-initiative/
3. YWCA Oahu’s Business Development [Servicing Oahu businesses only]
Colleen McAluney: cmcaluney@ywcaoahu.org
https://www.ywcaoahu.org/business-development
Still Have Questions?
Email us at hicap@htdc.org.