National ACE

What National ACE does

National ACE (National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit chamber of commerce founded in 2012 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., operating as the national advocacy and resource organization for Asian American, Pacific Islander, and other small business owners. Its portfolio of programs is delivered free of charge to beneficiaries and includes the AAPISTRONG Small Business Fund and AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund (cumulative grants exceeding $8.1M and 500+ awards), the Capital Readiness Program and Empower Capital Readiness Program (8-week virtual accelerators with multilingual one-on-one coaching), the Restaurant Accelerator in partnership with Grubhub (combining $5,000 grants with virtual accelerator sessions), the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready co-branded $10,000 grant program, regional small business roundtables in markets including Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, Charlotte, Houston, and Atlanta, pitch competitions (Minority Women Lead and Trailblazers: Women Innovators), and ACE NextGen youth programming. The organization also convenes an annual conference (700+ attendees in NYC in 2025, scheduled for Houston in 2026) and maintains formal working relationships with CAPAC, WHIAANHPI, MBDA, SBA, and 40+ congressional offices.

The business model is sponsorship- and grant-funded rather than fee-based: National ACE generates operating revenue through corporate partnerships and event sponsorships with Grubhub, Verizon, Bank of America, AT&T, Wells Fargo, Amazon, McDonald's, Deloitte, and Toyota, alongside federal funding from the Minority Business Development Agency. Grant dollars and program content are passed through to small businesses at no cost. Distribution occurs through a 120+ affiliate chamber network, co-branded corporate channels, regional roundtables, the nationalace.org website (Submittable-powered applications), and direct one-on-one business coaching in multiple languages. Reported cumulative impact metrics include 60,000+ businesses helped, $68M+ in capital raised for 600+ founders, and over $9M invested through the Grubhub partnership since 2021. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on standard web, email, and event infrastructure rather than AI or SaaS systems.

Name

National ACE

Legal name

National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship

Website

https://nationalace.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National ACE is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit chamber of commerce that advocates for and delivers grant, accelerator, coaching, and policy programs to AAPI and other small business owners across the United States, funded by corporate sponsorships and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chamber of Commerce / Small Business Advocacy Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK), Partner, Channel & Alliance Summits (THAHAMAC), Trade, Industry & Economic Development Administration (BPAIAAAL)

Keywords

• Small business advocacy
• Chamber of commerce
• Grant funding programs
• AAPI entrepreneurship
• Business accelerator

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: National ACE generates revenue through corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations with major companies including Grubhub, Verizon, Bank of America, AT&T, McDonald's, Wells Fargo, Amazon, and others who support their programs and events. These partnerships fund grants, accelerators, and roundtables for small businesses.
2. Grant Administration and Program Fees: The organization administers grant programs (such as the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund) and accelerator programs. While grants are passed through to small businesses, administrative costs may be covered through program fees or corporate funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

National ACE is a nonprofit chamber of commerce that administers grant programs (AAPISTRONG Small Business Fund, AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund), operates accelerator and coaching programs (Capital Readiness Program, Restaurant Accelerator), hosts regional advocacy roundtables and an annual conference, and conducts federal-level policy advocacy on behalf of AAPI and all small business owners. Its services are delivered free of charge to eligible small business owners, with funding sourced from corporate partnerships and federal grants.

Product overview

National ACE operates as a chamber of commerce organization offering a portfolio of grant programs, accelerator services, and networking initiatives for AAPI and all small business owners. The core offerings include the AAPISTRONG Small Business Fund (grants), Capital Readiness Program (8-week accelerator with coaching), Restaurant Accelerator & Community Fund Grant (restaurant-specific support), Verizon Small Business Digital Ready partnership, Business Coaching, Small Business Roundtables, and youth development through ACE NextGen. These programs are connected through a unified mission to provide capital access, mentorship, and resource connections to entrepreneurs nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund: Grant program supporting Asian American, Pacific Islander, and all small business restaurants with funding up to $25,000
• Capital Readiness Program
• ACE NextGen
• ACE Foundation
• Empower Capital Readiness Program

Products and services

• AAPISTRONG Small Business Fund Grant program awarding over 500 grants to AAPI and all small business owners, providing direct financial support for business growth, recovery, and operational needs. Grants are administered through the National ACE program with corporate partner funding.
• Capital Readiness Program 8-week virtual accelerator providing workshops, mentoring, and networking focused on business model refinement, expansion strategies, and improving access to funding. Includes personalized one-on-one business coaching available in multiple languages.
• Restaurant Accelerator & Community Fund Grant Program combining a four-part virtual accelerator with $5,000 Community Fund Grants for eligible small, independent restaurants, in partnership with Grubhub. Focuses on maximizing revenue, building digital presence, and attracting customers through expert-led training.
• Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Partnership program with Verizon offering $10,000 grants to small businesses through Verizon's Small Business Digital Ready platform. Also provides free courses, coaching, and community support to help businesses grow digitally.
• Business Coaching One-on-one business coaching provided directly by National ACE to help small business owners with financial documents, business plans, and funding applications. Available in multiple languages with little to no wait time.
• Small Business Roundtables Regional roundtable series held in various cities across the country (Chicago, Sacramento, Dallas, Seattle, Atlanta, Houston, Charlotte, Newark, NYC) gathering insights on barriers to small business growth and facilitating connections between entrepreneurs, policymakers, and corporate leaders.
• Minority Women Lead Pitch Competition Annual national pitch competition co-hosted with California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce celebrating visionary minority women entrepreneurs. Has awarded $60,000+ to winners since inception with 12,000+ women in attendance across events.
• Trailblazers: Women Innovators Pitch Competition
• ACE NextGen Program focused on fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and executives within the AAPI community, providing youth development and leadership pathways.
• Empower Capital Readiness Program Multi-state small business development program designed to help growth-stage entrepreneurs and firms strengthen operational capacity and readiness for government contracting and next-phase opportunities, delivered in partnership with the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce.

Quantifiable outcome

• $68M+ in capital raised for over 600 founders
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• GrubhubflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLongstanding partnership providing restaurant grants and accelerator programs. Since 2021, over $9M in grants has been invested directly into small restaurants through the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund. The 2025 Restaurant Accelerator & Community Fund Grant awarded $485,000 to 97 restaurants. Combines financial support ($5,000 grants) with expert-led virtual accelerator sessions covering digital presence, customer acquisition, and operational excellence.
• VerizoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVerizon offers $10,000 grants to small businesses through its Small Business Digital Ready program, which also offers free courses, coaching, and community support. National ACE promotes this program to its small business network, helping extend Verizon's reach into AAPI communities.
• AT&TcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAT&T received Corporate Champion Award in 2025 for multicultural engagement. Hosted Dallas Small Business Roundtable at AT&T Discovery Center. Partnership includes sponsorship of events and programs supporting AAPI entrepreneurs.
• McDonald'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMcDonald's is a corporate partner hosting Small Business Roundtables at their headquarters in Chicago. Partnership focuses on advocacy to protect and uplift small business owners. Over 95% of McDonald's restaurants are franchised, operated by small business owners.
• AmazoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon participates in National ACE roundtables and programs. Hosted Seattle Small Business Roundtable at Amazon headquarters. Amazon Web Services and retail operations engage with AAPI small businesses through National ACE events.
• DeloittecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDeloitte is listed as a valued corporate partner, providing expertise and resources for small business programs and initiatives.
• ToyotacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a valued corporate partner supporting National ACE programs and initiatives.
• California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership with CalAsian Chamber for joint programs including Minority Women Lead pitch competition, Sacramento roundtables, and Empower Program administration. CalAsian is the largest statewide ethnic chamber in California with 754,000+ AAPI-owned businesses.
• The OutpostcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in driving the East Coast Hub (Capital Readiness Program) to empower socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Hosted inaugural East Coast Hub Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Alexandria, VA. Partnership provides workshops, mentoring, and networking focusing on business model refinement and access to funding.
• Filipino Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest (FCCPNW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted Small Business Roundtable at Amazon's Seattle headquarters focusing on accelerating business growth and trade opportunities.
• Asian Chamber of Commerce HoustoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for Houston Small Business Roundtable focused on trade, growth, and opportunity. Hosted at Port Houston.
• Carolinas AAPI Business Alliance (CABA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted Small Business Roundtable at Wells Fargo's Charlotte offices focused on economic growth, capital access, and innovation.
• Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted Small Business Roundtable with CABA and National ACE at Wells Fargo's Corporate Offices in Charlotte.
• New Jersey Chinese American Chamber of Commerce (NJCACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for Small Business Roundtable in Newark, NJ focused on strengthening local small businesses. NJCACC plays key role in helping immigrant-founded and minority-owned businesses scale and connect.
• Natural Allies for a Clean Energy FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to present 'Powering Prosperity: Why Energy Literacy Matters for Small Business' sessions at National ACE Conference, exploring how energy choices impact small business costs and resilience.
• Center for Asian Pacific American Women (CAPAW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted Small Business Leadership Roundtable in Atlanta focused on AI innovation, digital access, and access to capital. Partnership brings together goal-oriented, motivated business women leaders.
• Women's Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project (WEOP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted Small Business Leadership Roundtable with CAPAW and National ACE in Atlanta, advancing economic empowerment for women through education and community initiatives.
• White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration with WHIAANHPI to advance key issues affecting AANHPI communities. National ACE has built productive relationship with the Initiative under multiple administrations.
• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal working relationship with CAPAC leadership (Chair Rep. Grace Meng, First Vice-Chair Rep. Mark Takano, etc.) for advocacy and policy work supporting AAPI communities and small businesses.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives): National nonprofit providing free business mentoring, workshops, and resources to small business owners. Comparable in small business coaching and capacity-building services delivered to entrepreneurs, with similar free-program economics and volunteer-driven model.
• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): Federal agency that funds Capital Readiness Programs at National ACE and other minority business intermediaries. Functions as a key funding partner and ecosystem counterpart rather than a direct competitor, but shapes the policy and grant environment in which National ACE operates.
• National Women's Business Council: Federal advisory body that overlaps with National ACE's Minority Women Lead and Trailblazers pitch competitions. Comparable in policy advocacy and research focus on an underserved business segment, and a natural partner or model for cross-segment programming.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The dominant U.S. business association, providing a benchmark for chamber-of-commerce scale, advocacy infrastructure, and corporate partner monetization. Operates at vastly greater scale and breadth, and overlaps only on national small business policy issues.
• U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC): The national Hispanic business chamber, operating a parallel model of affiliate local chambers, corporate partnerships, advocacy, and capacity-building programs. A comparable peer for benchmarking scale, federal advocacy approach, and corporate sponsorship strategy, but serving a different demographic segment.
• National Black Chamber of Commerce: National minority business chamber running a similar affiliate-network and advocacy model for Black-owned businesses, with comparable corporate partner set and federal engagement—useful as a structural peer for chamber-of-commerce economics and policy-advocacy mechanics.

Direct peers

• U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC): The largest direct national peer: a nonprofit AAPI business membership organization that runs education, certification, and procurement-matchmaking programs for AAPI-owned firms, and convenes a major annual business summit—closely overlapping National ACE's mission, programs, and corporate partner set.
• California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian): National ACE's flagship partner and the largest statewide AAPI chamber, serving 754,000+ AAPI-owned businesses in California. Co-administers the Empower Capital Readiness Program and the Minority Women Lead pitch competition, making it both an ally and the most natural alternative network for the same constituency.

Regional players

• Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC): Northeast-focused AAPI business development organization running supplier diversity summits, leadership awards, and capacity-building programs. Comparable in mission and programming mix, but primarily regional and event-led rather than a national chamber network.
• Asian Business Association (ABA): A Southern California-based Asian American business association providing networking, advocacy, and supplier diversity programming. A relevant regional peer for the AAPI business chamber model, but does not operate nationally like National ACE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nationalace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 National ACE