On September 4th, the National Asian American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE) hosted the AAPI Strong Summit at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Silicon Valley. Hundreds gathered for this significant event, including officials from the White House, community leaders, and Asian American business owners, all united in celebrating the contributions and achievements of the Asian Pacific Islander community in the United States.
This summit stands as one of the largest gatherings of Asian American businesses and leaders across the nation. Its goals are diverse; it not only honors the entrepreneurial spirit of the Asian American small business community across generations but also provides entrepreneurs with opportunities to explore innovative avenues for capital development and network with government officials. The aim is for participants to forge valuable partnerships through this platform.
Notable attendees included senior officials from the White House, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Treasury, as well as executives from some of America’s top 500 companies. Local representatives, such as San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Saratoga Mayor Zhao Yan, Fremont Mayor Goutam Kaur, and Cupertino Mayor Sheila Mohan, were also on hand to show their support.
In a video address, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo underscored the importance of uplifting minority business communities to foster innovation and competitiveness in America. She stated, “Asian American entrepreneurs, innovators, and businesses are critical to America’s economy and competitiveness.”
Keynote speakers at the summit included federal representatives such as Congresswoman Judy Chu, California Office of Business and Economic Development Director Amy Tong, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Jeanette Quick, Bank of America Executive Carol Lee Mitchell, and Donald Cravins, former Deputy Secretary of Commerce and current executive at Williams Companies. The event also launched the Capital Readiness Program, aimed at supporting the growth of small businesses by helping startups secure the necessary capital to effectively launch, operate, or expand.
The agenda featured discussions on the development and impact of artificial intelligence (AI). Experts revealed how AI can propel small businesses forward and create new opportunities. The topics covered included “Embracing the Future of AI and Workforce Transformation,” “Empowering Small Businesses with AI – Applications and Insights,” “Leveraging Social Media for Personal Influence and Corporate Branding,” “Effective Strategies to Maximize Social Media Impact,” “Successful Strategies for Building Million-Dollar Businesses,” “Funding Strategies and Best Practices for Business Growth,” “Creating Equity and Opportunity for Communities,” “Trends and Innovations in Procurement and Supply Chain Management,” and “Psychological Resilience in Entrepreneurship.”
National ACE President K.J. Dong chaired this year’s AAPI Strong Summit, alongside executive committee members such as Chairperson Chen Junya and Co-Chairs Hu Limin, Lai Shuna, and Narumi Inatsugu, as well as committee members Lin Meilian, Weng Libo, Zhang Xiaohan, Mei Yiduan, Zhang Meiqing, Chen Runwu, Zeng Yajun, Lai Jiyu, Huang Junzhao, Wang Rongmei, Xu Ling, Lamar Heystek, and Dr. David Yee.
Chairperson Chen Junya highlighted that the summit’s primary objective is to assist small businesses in finding investment opportunities and strategic partners. He expressed gratitude to the Chinese community in Silicon Valley for their collective efforts in making the event a success.
