2025 IMPACT REPORT
2025 IN REVIEW: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
OnbehalfoftheNationalAsian/PacificIslanderAmericanChamberofCommerce& Entrepreneurship(NationalACE),weextendoursincereappreciationforyourcontinued partnershipanddedicationtoupliftingtheAsianAmericanandPacificIslander(AAPI)and broadersmallbusinesscommunity.
2025markedapivotalchapterforNationalACE Wetackledpressingchallengesfacing entrepreneursbylaunchingfivenewsmallbusinessacceleratorsdesignedtoempowerearlystagestartups,PacificIslanderentrepreneurs,restaurateurs,technologyfounders,andsmall businessownersleveragingAI.OuradvocacyeffortsremainedstrongasweconvenedSmall BusinessRoundtablesandheld40in-personmeetingsonCapitolHill,creatingmeaningful bipartisandialoguebetweensmallbusinessowners,policymakersandelectedofficials
Toaddressthepersistentdatagapinourcommunity,wecollaboratedwithadiverserangeof partnersonresearchexploringtheintersectionofsmallbusinessandartificialintelligence.In addition,theSmallBusinessFundcelebrateditsfifthanniversary,awardingnearly$1millionin grantstoentrepreneursnavigatingtoday’seconomicchallenges.Since2021,NationalACEhas proudlydistributedover$10millioningrantstohelpsmallbusinessownerswheresupportis neededmost
Withthesupportofournetworkofover130affiliatechambersandpartnerorganizationsacross thecountry,wehavecontinuedtoamplifyinitiativesthatempowerentrepreneursinall50 statesandtheDistrictofColumbia.Yoursupporthasmadeitpossibleforcountlessbusiness ownerstoaccesscapital,participateinvirtualtrainingprograms,andadvocateforpoliciesthat strengthenthesmallbusinessecosystem
WewouldalsoliketoexpressourdeepgratitudetoourBoardofDirectorsfortheirsteadfast leadershipandguidance.Yourvisionandcommitmentcontinuetodriveourmissionforward.
Aswelooktotheyearahead,werecognizethatourworkisfarfromdone Weinviteyouto continuethisjourneywithus Together,wecancreatelastingimpact
Thankyouonceagainforyourinvaluablesupport.
Chiling Tong President & CEO
National ACE
Garrett Gin Board Chair
MISSION
TheNationalAsian/PacificIslanderAmericanChamberofCommerceandEntrepreneurship (NationalACE)representsover3millionAAPI-ownedbusinessesandadvocatesforthebroader smallbusinesscommunityacrosstheUnitedStates Throughstrategicpartnershipswithmorethan 130affiliatechambersandorganizations,weempowersmallbusinesseswithadvocacy, collaboration,andimpactfulprograms.
NationalACEisdedicatedtoremovingbarrierstogrowth,fosteringentrepreneurship,driving economicdevelopment,andpromotingleadershipinthepublicandprivatesectors Bysupporting capacity-building,expandingaccesstofunding,providingtechnicalassistance,andincreasing visibilityinpolicydiscussions,NationalACEhelpsbusinessesthriveandstrengthenstheeconomy.
Ourmissionisadvancedthroughthreecorepillars: theSmallBusinessInnovationCenter,Community Engagement,andAdvocacy.TheSmallBusiness InnovationCenterservesasNationalACE’shubfor economicdevelopment,offeringroundtables, technicalassistance,andacceleratorprogramsfor entrepreneurs.CommunityEngagement strengthenslocalandnationalnetworksthrough impactfulprogramsandevents,whileAdvocacy amplifiesthevoicesofentrepreneursinpolicyand legislativearenas Together,thesepillarsfoster opportunityandgrowthforsmallbusinesses.
Three Pillars
SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION CENTER
TheSmallBusinessInnovationCenteris NationalACE’shubforeconomic developmentthatofferseconomic roundtables,technicalassistance,and grantopportunities
TheCenterhostsarangeofvirtual acceleratorandin-persontracks, includingbutnotlimitedto:early-stage startups,PacificIslanderentrepreneurs, restaurateurs,technologyfounders,and smallbusinessownersleveragingAI.
Impact by the Numbers
infundsconnectedto smallbusinessesinthefirst year $68.4M entrepreneursinthe program 1,600+
virtualacceleratorswith over800graduates 10 in-personevents throughouttheyear 70+
2025 ACCELERATOR PROGRAMS
ACCELERATOR PROGRAM IMPACT
OwnerofVictoriaTuiono HairStylist&EstheticianofDoneByVictoria SanFranciscoBayArea,CA
"TheNHPIAcceleratorcompletelytransformed howIrunmybusiness Learningaboutbusiness creditandexpensemanagementgavemethe confidencetorebuildmyapproachwithclarity andpurpose Whatresonatedmostwasthe focusonmindset Itremindedmehowpowerful beliefandsupportcanbe.Ileftknowingthatwith therighttoolsandcommunity,wecanall continuetogrowandthrive."
OwnerofPacificIslandCleaning Kapolei&Hilo,Hawaii
"TheAcceleratorgavemetoolsIcould userightaway Learningaboutbusiness creditandhowtobettermanagemy expenseshelpedmerethinkand restructurehowIrunmybusiness.What reallystuckwithmewashowevery facilitatoremphasizedmindsetandhow muchitshapessuccess.Morethan anything,IlefttheAcceleratorknowing thatthereareresourcesandsupportout theretohelpuskeepgrowingand thriving"
RockBottomConstruction&JunkRemoval SaltLakeCity,UT
"TheNHPIAcceleratorhashelpedmeelevatemy businessbyprovidingthetools,training,andsupportI neededtogrowwithconfidence Thementorship, resources,andcommunitytheyofferhasallowedme tolevelupprofessionallyandmovetowardmygoals fasterthanIcouldonmyown"
ACCELERATOR PROGRAM IMPACT
FounderofJoyfulTransformations®
JoyceTalagimmigratedfromthePhilippinesinhermid30sandimmediatelystartedhercoachingbusiness, JoyfulTransformations,toserveemergingleadersin largecompaniesprimarilythroughaB2B2Cmodel
Asadirectresultofthecombinedserviceswithinthe Accelerator,Joycewasabletodevelophercore businessenterprisefollowingaclearmodelthatguided herbusinessdecisionsinthecourseofherbusiness pivot.ShecameupwithanSEOmarketingstrategy,as wellassecuredsponsorshipfromoneofthe Accelerator’spartners,Amazon,todevelopa30secondpromotionalvideothathasalreadyresultedin anewclientforherhigh-ticketofferwithintwoweeksof implementation.Mostofall,Joycehadanewfound confidenceinhercapabilitiesasanentrepreneurwhile growingwithacommunitywhereshefeltasenseof belonging
CEO&Co-FounderofShoott.com
JenniferwasconnectedwithVirtualWorkWorld throughtheACENextGenAcceleratorandhas sinceadded4offshoreresourcestoherteam, helpingShoottcontinuetoscaleitsoperations inacost-effectiveway Furthermore,Jennifer wasabletorefineShoott'sSEOstrategyand marketingstrategiesandcrossofffranchising fromtheirlistofpossibilities-allamajorwinfor thebrand!
"Iwasabsolutelyblownawaybyhowrobustthe curriculumwasfortheACENextGenAccelerator program Theacceleratorexcelledatcovering topicsthatdirectlyimpacttheentrepreneurship journeyfromlegalandaccountingtoSEOand outsourcing(andeverythingelsein-between!). Itwasatruetreasuretroveofresourcesofall typesoftopics.”
SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS
NationalACEpartnerswithorganizationstoprovide targetedgrantsthatsupportsmallbusinesses In 2025,NationalACEpartneredwithGrubhub’s CommunityFundGranttoinvest$485,000in restaurateurs,operators,andmanagers,combining vitalfundingwithpracticalbusinesseducationto accelerateoperationalstrengthandlong-term growth.Additionally,theVerizonSmallBusiness DigitalReadinessprogramawards$50,000tosmall businessownerswhocompletetwoeducational coursesontopicssuchasmoneymanagement, operations,branding,andmarketing,providingboth fundingandessentialskillstohelpbusinessesthrive
Impact by the Numbers ingrantsdistributedsince2021 $10.3M ingrantsdistributedin2025 $985,000 grantsgivensince2021 1,166
“TheNationalACEandGrubhubgrantprogramhasbeenatremendous success Besidestheobviousbenefitsthatthegrantmoneyprovides,the programhasbeengreatforcommunityengagementbutalsoasaresource forsmallbusinessesforstrategy,support,andongoingadvice”
- RonaldHsu,Chef-Partner&CulinaryDirector, Atlanta,GA
“I'msohonoredtohavebeenawardedfundsfromtheNationalACEand Grubhubgrantprogram. It'ssuchanimportantprogramthatupliftsthe AsianAmericanrestaurantcommunitywithessentialfundstohelpus continuetothriveinaverychallengingindustry.”
-BeverlyKim,Co-Chef&Co-Owner,ParachuteHiFiandAnelya Chicago,IL
BUSINESS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
NATIONAL ACE AT THE WHITE HOUSE
NationalACEhadthehonorofbeinginvitedtothe WhiteHouseincelebrationofAsianAmericanand PacificIslanderHeritageMonthinMay Theevening beganwithheartfeltremarksfromSecondLadyUsha Vance,whopaidtributetothevibrantculturalheritage, achievements,andenduringcontributionsoftheAAPI community.Shewasjoinedbyseveralkeyleadersfrom theadministration,including:
StevenCheung,AssistanttothePresidentand WhiteHouseCommunicationsDirector
LynnePatton,DeputyAssistanttothePresidentand DirectorofMinorityOutreach
MayMailman,DeputyAssistanttothePresident andSeniorPolicyStrategist
BrettePowell,SpecialAssistanttothePresidentand DeputyDirectoroftheOfficeofPublicLiaison
CAPITOL HILL DAY
DuringCapitolHillDay,62 businessleadersfrom NationalACEandits partnerorganizationsmet with40Congressional offices,including20direct meetingswithU.S. Representativesand Senators,tochampion supportforfederalsmall businessprogramsandto advancepoliciesthat empowersmallbusiness communities.
BUSINESS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
SMALL BUSINESS & AAPI HERITAGE MONTH RECEPTION
AttheSmallBusiness&AAPI
HeritageMonthReception,wewere honoredtobejoinedbySenator AndyKim,RepresentativesYoung Kim,TedLieu,GraceMeng,andDave Min,whosepowerfulremarks affirmedtheircommitmentto supportingsmallbusinessesandthe communitiestheyserve
TRAILBLAZERS: WOMEN INNOVATORS PITCH COMPETITION
TRAILBLAZERS:WomenInnovatorsPitchCompetitionwashostedbytheCaliforniaAsianPacific ChamberofCommerceandNationalACEtospotlightthenextgenerationofvisionary womenentrepreneurs.HeldatUCIrvine,theeventbroughttogetherfiveoutstandingfinalists, eachpresentinginnovativesolutionsinfieldsrangingfromAIeducationandsustainable floristrytoperiodcare,children’sapparel,andculturallyinspiredcuisine WithSenatorSteven Choiinattendance,threewinnerswereawardedacombined$15,000infunding,celebrating womenwhoarereshapingindustriesandupliftingcommunitiesnationwide.
2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
ExcellenceinAction:DrivingBusiness,Innovation,andImpact
The2025AnnualConferenceattheNewYork MarriottMarquisinTimesSquarebrought togetherover700entrepreneurs,small businessowners,corporateleaders,and policymakers
Theeventfeaturedinspiringplenaries, expert-ledbreakoutsessions,impactful firesidechats,abustlingmarketplaceexpo, andacelebratoryAwardsGalahonoring trailblazers
TheLegendAwardwaspresentedtoDr. JamesS.C.Chao,FounderandChairmanof ForemostGroup,whocaptivatedthe audiencewithhisspeechemphasizingpublic serviceandtheimportanceoffamily The PublicServiceAwardwaspresentedto CongresswomanGraceMengforher advocacyonbehalfofsmallbusinesses.
Daytime Conference Attendees
Nighttime Gala Attendees
Revenue of Small Business Owners
SMALL BUSINESS ROUNDTABLES
TheSmallBusinessRoundtablesofferbusiness ownersaplatformtoengagewithgovernment officialsandcorporateleadersoncritical topicssuchasbusinesschallenges,accessto capital,languagesupport,digitalliteracy, workforcedevelopment,andlocalmarket recovery Heldinpartnershipwithourstrategic chambersandcorporatepartnersnationwide, theseroundtablesfosterdiscussionsthathelp identifyandexpandresourcesforsmall businesses.In2025,NationalACEhosted7inpersonSmallBusinessRoundtables nationwide.
2025 Roundtables
SOCIAL MEDIA AND PRESS
Press Metrics
32
PressMentions
Social Media Metrics
8,649
Followers
250,123
TotalSocialMedia Impressions
29,161 Engagements 10,861
EmailSubscribers
Top Performing Post:
ADVOCACY
NationalACEiscommittedto strengtheningthebusinesscommunity throughconnectingentrepreneursto resourcesandadvocatingbusinessfriendlypolicies.Throughstrong partnershipswithCongress,theWhite House,andbusinessleaders,weadvocate fortheinterestsofsmallbusinesses, promoteeconomicdevelopment, strengthencoalitions,andcultivatethe nextgenerationofleaders.
Todownload
NationalACE'sfull policyagenda,visit NationalACEorgor scantheQRcode.
2025 Legislative Priorities
Access to Capital
Advancing Health Access & Outcomes
Artificial Intelligence
Closing the Digital Divide
Collection of Meaningful Data
Energy
Federal Procurement
Fostering Leadership
International Commerce
Language Accessibility
Supplier Inclusion
Tax Reform
Workforce Development
NationalACEcontinuestobuildformidable relationshipswithkeyCongressionaloffices.In2025, NationalACEanditspartnerorganizationsmetwith40 Congressionaloffices including20directmeetings withUS RepresentativesandSenators tochampion supportforfederalsmallbusinessprogramsandto advancepoliciesthatempowersmallbusiness communities.
NationalACEisdedicatedtostrengthening relationshipswithMembersofCongressacrossthe aisleandsharingourpolicyagendatobeaneffective voiceforbusinesscommunitiesonCapitolHill.
FullListofLegislatorsMetWith:
SenatorCatherineCortez-Masto
SenatorTammyDuckworth
SenatorJohnFetterman
SenatorMarkKelly
SenatorJackyRosen
SenatorChuckSchumer
SenatorJohnCurtis
Rep LloydDoggett
Rep LauraFriedman
Rep.VinceFong
Rep DanGoldman
Rep KimberlyKingHinds
Rep.SusieLee
Rep.CelesteMaloy
Rep SarahMcBride
Rep DaveMin
Rep.JamesMoylan
Rep.BurgessOwens
Rep DeliaRamirez
Rep NydiaVelázquez
NationalACENYDelegateswith LeaderChuckSchumer
NationalACETXDelegateswith Rep LloydDoggett
FullListofCongressionalOfficesMetWith:
OfficeofSenatorAngelaAlsobrooks OfficeofSenatorCoryBooker OfficeofSenatorJohnCurtis OfficeofSenatorJamesLankford OfficeofSenatorMikeLee OfficeofSenatorMarkwayneMullin OfficeofSenatorTimScott OfficeofRep EdCase OfficeofRep GerryConnolly OfficeofRep.DonaldBeyer OfficeofRep LizzieFletcher OfficeofRep KevinHern OfficeofRep.StenyHoyer OfficeofRep.DarinLaHood OfficeofRep DorisMatsui OfficeofRep KevinMullin OfficeofRep.RobertMenendez OfficeofRep.JamieRaskin OfficeofRep MaryGayScanlon OfficeofRep RogerWilliams
SURVEYS & RESEARCH
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ADOPTION TRENDS & STRATEGIC INSIGHTS: SURVEY OF SMALL BUSINESSES
NationalACE,inpartnershipwith ReimagineMainStreetand13other nationalorganizations,surveyednearly 1,000smallbusinessestoassessartificial intelligence(AI)adoption.
Readthefullreportat NationalACE.org/research
Barriers to Adoption:
Privacyconcerns
Limitedstaffcapacity (“bandwidth”)
Lackofawarenessor understanding Unclearvalueproposition
ActiveUsers–alreadyusingAIin marketing,productivity,and innovation. Key Findings:
Explorers–testingorresearching AIbutnotusingitregularly.
Non-Users–notcurrentlyusingAI.
Support Small Businesses Need:
Practical,hands-ontraining
Affordable,easy-to-useAI tools
Tailoredsolutions
Accesstotechnicalsupport
SURVEYS & RESEARCH
STATE OF AAPI RESTAURATEURS TODAY & TOP CHALLENGES
In2025,NationalACEsurveyed97restaurantownerstobetterunderstandthebarriers andemergingopportunitieswithintheindustry.Thefollowingsummarizeswhatwe found
ACE NEXTGEN
Mission
ToforgelifelongconnectionsthatempowerAsian AmericanandPacificIslanderentrepreneursto thriveinbusinessandinlife
ACENextGenisavibrantcommunitythat empowerssmallbusinessentrepreneurstobuild lifelongrelationshipsrootedinsharedvaluesof authenticity,generosity,humility,andagrowth mindset Throughcuratedprogramssuchas mastermindgroups,mentorshipopportunities, educationalresources,andaccesstoa nationwidenetworkofmembersacrossindustries, ACENextGenhelpsentrepreneursleveluptheir businessesandthrive.
Chapters:Boston,Chicago, Houston,LasVegas,Miami, NewJersey,NewYork, Philadelphia,Southern California,Washington,D.C., andtheBayArea 11
NOTABLE SPEAKERS
of Crazy Rich Asians & Wicked Jon M Chu
NATIONAL ACE CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GARRETT GIN
Board Chair,
National ACE Board of Directors
Senior Vice President, Global Marketing & Corporate Affairs Bank of America
JASONCHAN BoardMember
MELODY CHEN Co-President ACE NextGen
JIMMYFERGUSON
President,Maxtab,Inc
Owner/OperatorMcDonald's AsianMcDonald'sOperators Association(AMOA)
PATRICIA FONG KUSHIDA
President & CEO California Asian Chamber of Commerce
BILL IMADA
Chairman & Chief Connectivity Officer IW Group
SUSANJINDAVIS
Former Social Impact Officer
Al Roker Entertainment
JOON I KIM
Associate Vice President, External Affairs Comcast Corporation
CHRIS LAW
National Vice President, Asian Initiatives UnitedHealthcare
GRACELEE
President & CEO Ashford Connex, LLC
ROBERTOLLAMES
President & CEO Enterprise Solutions
ANDREWMOY
Executive Vice President, Asian Segment Leader Wells Fargo & Company
DR MANUMALO MUASAU
Founder ManuMental Performance Coaching
GEORGE TANAKA
Senior Vice President, Head of Japan Practice US Bank
THOMAS “TONY” WALLER
Vice President, Constituent Relations and Racial Equity Walmart
HELENE YAN
Senior Vice President, Chief Client Officer, Health Interpublic Group
VIVIAN YOUNG
Global Head Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs JPMorgan Chase
NATIONAL ACE FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JIMMY FERGUSON
Board Chair, ACE Foundation President, Maxtab, Inc.
Owner/Operator McDonald's Asian McDonald's Operators Association (AMOA)
ANGELA CHANG
Chief Strategy Officer
KCAL Insurance Agency
CY CHEN Chairman Global Monte Jade
KEVIN CHOW
President & CEO Triple S
TAMMY FUNASAKI
Director Tsuha Foundation
DENNIS HUANG
Executive Director and CEO Asian Business Association Los Angeles
BILL IMADA
Chairman & Chief Connectivity Officer IW Group
NARUMI INATSUGU
Chief Executive Officer & Chief Creative Officer Rumiville, Joysauce
SUSANJINDAVIS
Former Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment
SHAU-WAILAM
Chairman Emeritus DCH Auto Group
BINYU
Founder & Chairman YuRise Foundation MICHAEL TY Owner/Operator Hospitality Culinary, Inc (HCI)
TIANYI "JOE" ZHU
Co-Founder and Partner Heartland Trade Enterprises
