Kollaboration Boston

What Kollaboration Boston does

Kollaboration is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by stand-up comedian Paul "PK" Kim as a talent showcase for aspiring Korean American artists and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2006. It operates a national platform to discover, elevate, showcase, and connect Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) artists and creatives through four core program pillars: EMPOWER (an annual Creative Leadership Conference launched in 2015), STAR (a national talent discovery and showcase competition), Local Programs (regional volunteer-run events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta), and Media Programs (podcasts, live performance video series, and written content).

The organization's underlying "technology" is a community-driven digital media production platform rather than a proprietary software product; outputs include The Green Room live performance series, KollabCast and Gold & Great podcasts distributed via RadioPublic and Anchor.fm, archived music videos, and YouTube content. Distribution leverages both organic digital channels (YouTube, Facebook, Eventbrite) and producing-partner relationships with Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, and Tribeca Film Festival. MNet USA televised the inaugural STAR season as a TV series in 2012.

Kollaboration's revenue model is donation- and sponsorship-based with no priced products or services. Income streams are 100% tax-deductible individual donations via PayPal and corporate sponsorship packages handled through direct outreach. Past corporate sponsors include Comcast NBCUniversal, Cinemax, Snapchat, SPARC, Seedspark, HBO, Pandora, Boba Guys, Final Lo, and Cafe Dulce, all categorized as minor-tier contributors. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors (Roy Choi, Christine Kim, Paul Kim, Minji Chang) with regional directors in Atlanta (Roland Keng) and SF/Bay Area (Celine Ty), and is operated by a small dedicated staff at its Los Angeles headquarters with programs run primarily by volunteers.

Name

Kollaboration Boston

Legal name

Kollaboration

Website

https://kollaboration.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Kollaboration is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a national platform of programs (EMPOWER conference, STAR talent showcase, regional events, and media content) to discover, develop, and connect APIDA artists and creatives across Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Arts and Artist Development

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Training, Workshops & Certification Events (MPAGAGAJ), Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG)

Keywords

• Talent showcase events
• Artist development programs
• Nonprofit arts organization
• APIDA creative community
• Leadership conference programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Kollaboration accepts 100% tax-deductible donations via PayPal from individual supporters. The organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit built by the community, for the community.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Custom donation packages and corporate sponsorship inquiries are handled through direct contact with the organization. Past sponsors have included Comcast NBCUniversal, Cinemax, Snapchat, HBO, Pandora, and others.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kollaboration is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that runs talent showcases, creative leadership conferences, regional volunteer-driven programs, and digital media projects to discover, elevate, showcase, and connect Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) artists and creatives. Programs include the STAR national talent competition, the EMPOWER Creative Leadership Conference, local community programming in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta, and media properties such as the KollabCast podcast and The Green Room performance series.

Product overview

Kollaboration is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a multi-faceted platform of programs designed to discover, elevate, showcase, and connect APIDA artists. The core offerings include EMPOWER (an annual creative leadership conference), STAR (a national talent showcase competition), Local Programs (regional events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta), and Media Programs (podcasts, videos, and written content). These programs work together to provide pathways from discovery through professional development for emerging Asian American artists and creatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EMPOWER: Creative Leadership Conference gathering APIDA artists, producers, and leaders since 2015
• STAR
• KollabCast
• Gold & Great
• Green Room

Products and services

• EMPOWER Creative Leadership Conference Annual conference program that brings together APIDA artists, producers, and entertainment industry leaders through keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and mentorship sessions. Aimed at emerging APIDA artists and creatives seeking professional development and networking.
• STAR Talent Discovery and Showcase National talent discovery and showcase competition spanning Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta, culminating in a finale showcase featuring the top acts. Aimed at emerging APIDA artists seeking exposure and performance opportunities.
• Local Programs Regional volunteer-driven programs producing local events and content including talent showcases, open mics, spotlight shows, panels, and workshops for APIDA artists in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta metropolitan areas.
• Media Programs Digital media portfolio that produces podcasts, written articles, and video content highlighting APIDA artists and community voices.
• KollabCast Podcast Official podcast produced by Kollaboration featuring content related to APIDA artists and the entertainment industry. Distributed via RadioPublic.
• The Green Room Live Performance Series Live performance video series featuring artists from across the Kollaboration Network, distributed through Kollaboration's YouTube channel.
• Gold & Great Podcast Podcast produced by Kollaboration SF celebrating Asian American excellence, distributed via Anchor.fm.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and flagship.

• MNet USAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012In 2012, Kollaboration partnered with MNet USA to produce and televise the inaugural Kollaboration STAR Season as a television series.
• Sundance Film FestivalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKollaboration has been a producing partner promoting APIDA representation at the Sundance Film Festival, one of the world's most prestigious film festivals.
• SXSWflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKollaboration has been a producing partner promoting APIDA representation at SXSW (South by Southwest) festival.
• Tribeca Film FestivalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKollaboration has been a producing partner promoting APIDA representation at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• East West Players: Asian American performing arts organization producing theater and live performances for the AAPI community since 1965. Directly comparable to Kollaboration in mission (AAPI artist development), live event production, and nonprofit funding model, though focused on theater rather than multi-genre talent showcases.
• Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE): Nonprofit dedicated to AAPI representation in entertainment through programs that connect AAPI talent with industry leaders. Directly comparable to Kollaboration's EMPOWER conference and talent showcase mission, with a sharper focus on industry access and mentorship.
• Center for Asian American Media (CAAM): Nonprofit supporting Asian American media makers through fellowships, festivals, and media production. Comparable in nonprofit structure, AAPI media mission, and use of festivals as distribution, though CAAM is film/TV focused while Kollaboration spans live performance and media.
• Asian American Arts Centre: Nonprofit organization developing and showcasing Asian American artists across performing and visual arts in New York. Comparable as a nonprofit platform for Asian American artist development, though smaller in scale and based on the East Coast.

Broad incumbents

• Japanese American National Museum: Established large-scale Asian American cultural institution in Los Angeles with permanent programming, exhibitions, and community events. Comparable in serving the AAPI cultural community through events, content, and education, but at a much larger scale and with a museum operating model.

Emerging players

• Gold House: AAPI collective and nonprofit network that connects and promotes Asian American creators, entrepreneurs, and leaders across industries. Comparable in AAPI representation mission and nonprofit structure, with broader scope spanning business, media, and culture rather than performing arts specifically.
• Asian American Film Lab: Nonprofit supporting AAPI filmmakers through workshops, screenings, and mentorship programs. Comparable in AAPI media community-building and educational programming, though focused specifically on film rather than the broader performing arts scope Kollaboration covers.

Regional players

• Visual Communications (VC): Los Angeles-based Asian American media arts nonprofit that has run film and media festivals and supported AAPI storytellers since the 1970s. Comparable in AAPI media nonprofit mission and Los Angeles base, but with a media/film curation focus rather than talent showcase and live performance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/kollaboration00
• Facebookfacebook.com/kollaborationto
• Xx.com/kollaboration
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kollaboration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kollaboration Boston