Brittany Heyd

Brittany Heyd is the co-founder of Mana Up, a Hawaii-based economic development initiative that focuses on building and supporting the state's next generation of consumer brands.13 Her work at Mana Up involves helping local Hawaiian brands expand to global markets, with the goal of creating economic opportunities and high-potential jobs in Hawaii.3

Professional Background

Before co-founding Mana Up in October 2017, Brittany had an impressive career:

• She was the co-founder and Managing Director at 1776, a global startup incubator and venture fund.23

• At 1776, she grew the organization from an idea to a global business, which included:

  • A $12.5 million venture fund
  • Five locations
  • Events in 75 cities worldwide
  • A software platform called Union12

• She held positions at:

  • The White House Council of Economic Advisers
  • Latham & Watkins (a law firm)
  • Mark IV Capital12

Education and Achievements

Brittany's educational background includes:

• A Juris Doctor and Masters of Public Policy from Georgetown University
• A Bachelor's of Arts from the University of San Diego23

Her achievements and recognitions include:

• Named in Hawaii Business Magazine's "20 for the Next 20" list in 2020
• Honored in Pacific Business News' annual Women Who Mean Business Awards in 202112

Current Role and Initiatives

At Mana Up, Brittany is involved in various initiatives:

• A six-month accelerator program for local businesses
• An online store and retail location in Waikiki featuring local products
• A $6.3 Million Venture Fund designed to invest locally3

Brittany is also committed to giving back to the community. She serves on the boards of:

• The Calvin Shindo Student Venture Fund at the University of Hawaii
• The Hawaii Pacific Export Council12

Through her work, Brittany aims to diversify Hawaii's economy, create high-quality jobs, and foster a regenerative culture of entrepreneurship while maintaining a strong connection to the local community and culture.45