American Arab Chamber of Commerce

What American Arab Chamber of Commerce does

The American Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) is a Michigan-based non-profit founded in 1992 in Dearborn, operating as the largest Arab American business organization in the United States. It serves a national network of 1,800+ member businesses and professionals across nine U.S. offices (Dearborn HQ, Chicago, Paterson, Anaheim, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Washington DC, and New York City), with a core mission of building economic bridges between the Arab American community, the broader U.S. economy, and MENA region markets.

The Chamber operates a portfolio of distinct programs spanning accelerator services, trade compliance, mentorship, leadership recognition, and benefits administration. Core offerings include Tejara (a first-of-its-kind Arab American business accelerator in Dearborn providing bootcamp, coaching, pitch events, and coworking), MENA Trade Certification (electronic issuance of certificates of origin and export documents for MENA-bound trade, priced at $75 for members and $150 for non-members), Yalla Lead (national mentorship platform), Miyah Bil Miyah (leadership recognition initiative), Right Choice Health Benefits (group health insurance brokerage for small businesses in Wayne and Oakland Counties, Michigan), and a Legal Advisory Committee. The organization is governed by a 19-person board including executives from Ford Motor Company, Bank of America, Comerica Bank, and Kresge Foundation, with Chairman Ahmad Chebbani and Executive Director Bilal Hammoud leading day-to-day operations.

Revenue is generated through membership dues, transaction-based MENA Trade Certification fees, event revenue (principally the annual Building Economic Bridges Gala drawing 850+ attendees), and the Right Choice Health Benefits brokerage. The Chamber has cultivated high-level institutional relationships with the U.S. Department of State, the Arab League, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and multiple U.S. counties, most recently co-leading a December 2024 trade delegation to Qatar, Oman, and UAE under the Michigan Subnational Diplomacy initiative.

Name

American Arab Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

American Arab Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://americanarab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The American Arab Chamber of Commerce is a 1992-founded non-profit supporting Arab American entrepreneurs through membership, trade certification, an accelerator (Tejara), mentorship (Yalla Lead), and advocacy across nine U.S. offices and a 1,800+ business national network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Chamber and Trade Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Business Registration & Corporate Affairs (Registries) (BPAIAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Customs Declaration & Filing (Import/Export Entry) Platforms (TLAEAOAA)

Keywords

• Business chamber membership
• Trade certification services
• Entrepreneurship accelerator programs
• MENA trade facilitation
• Ethnic business advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Dearborn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The Chamber generates revenue through annual membership fees. The organization represents a national network of over 1,800 businesses, offering various membership tiers including core business memberships and premium business memberships. Members receive networking opportunities, policy advocacy, investment and procurement access, and business resources.
2. MENA Trade Certification Fees: The Chamber charges fees for issuing certificates of origin and other trade documents through its MENA Trade Certification program. Members pay $75 per certification while non-members pay $150. Members receive their first certification free upon joining.
3. Event Revenue (Building Economic Bridges Gala): The Chamber hosts its annual Building Economic Bridges Gala as the largest gathering of Arab American business leaders in the country with 850+ attendees. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, sponsorships, and table sales at the event.
4. Right Choice Health Benefits Administration: Through the Right Choice Health Benefits initiative, the Chamber connects member businesses with affordable group health insurance plans starting at under $300 per month per employee for qualifying small businesses in Wayne and Oakland Counties, Michigan.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The American Arab Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business organization that provides membership services, trade documentation certification, startup acceleration, mentorship, leadership recognition, and health benefits to a national network of 1,800+ Arab American businesses. Its core offerings include the Tejara Innovation Hub accelerator, MENA Trade Certification for exporters, Yalla Lead mentorship, Miyah Bil Miyah leadership recognition, and the Right Choice Health Benefits program, all serving Arab American entrepreneurs and professionals across 9 U.S. offices.

Product overview

The American Arab Chamber of Commerce operates as a nonprofit business organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services. The core offerings include: Tejara Innovation Hub (an accelerator program in Dearborn, MI providing business development, capital access, and coaching), MENA Trade Certification (electronic certificate of origin and trade document services), Membership Program (national network of 1,800+ businesses), Miyah Bil Miyah (leadership recognition initiative), Yalla Lead (national mentorship program), Right Choice Health Benefits (healthcare benefits for small businesses), and Legal Advisory Committee services. The organization also provides economic data through the Global Arab Economic Engine. Together, these services support Arab American entrepreneurs from business inception through growth, including trade facilitation, legal resources, health benefits, and professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tejara: First-of-its-kind accelerator and innovation hub for Arab American entrepreneurs, providing business development advisory, capital access pathways, and curated networks of industry experts and investors located in Dearborn, MI.
• MENA Trade Certification
• Miyah Bil Miyah
• Yalla Lead
• Right Choice Health Benefits
• Building Economic Bridges Gala

Products and services

• Membership Program National membership program providing high-impact networking, strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, investment and procurement opportunities, and curated business resources for Arab American entrepreneurs and professionals across the U.S.
• Tejara Innovation Hub A first-of-its-kind accelerator for Arab American entrepreneurs based in Dearborn, MI, offering business bootcamp, 1-on-1 coaching, pitch events, coworking space, commerce hub, and access to capital and industry networks.
• MENA Trade Certification Streamlined electronic process for issuing certificates of origin, certificates of free sale, invoices, and exporter documents for MENA region exports, with apostille and legalization support. Priced at $75 for AACC members and $150 for non-members.
• Yalla Lead National Mentorship Program A national mentorship program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of Arab and MENA American entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders through tailored mentorship, networking, and leadership development.
• Miyah Bil Miyah (National Arab American Leaders) A national leadership recognition initiative honoring Arab American leaders across 8 sectors including entrepreneurship, technology, public service, healthcare, arts, philanthropy, finance, and education. Selects 100 leaders for the inaugural class.
• Right Choice Health Benefits Health benefits program providing affordable group health insurance plans through Community Care Associates (CCA) for qualifying small businesses in Wayne and Oakland Counties, Michigan, with rates starting under $300 per month per employee. Includes Chamber membership.
• Legal Advisory Committee Services Legal education, member support and referrals, policy and regulatory awareness, professional networking, and community protection and advocacy services for Arab American businesses and members.
• Global Arab Economic Engine Economic data platform providing statistics and information about Arab American economic presence and MENA trade relationships.

Quantifiable outcome

• 850+ attendees at the 32nd Annual Building Economic Bridges Gala (2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Michigan Municipal League and FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024The AACC partnered with the Michigan Municipal League and Foundation to execute the December 2024 trade delegation to Qatar, Oman, and UAE. This collaboration is part of the Michigan Subnational Diplomacy initiative announced by Under Secretary Fernandez in Michigan in May 2024, supporting City and State Diplomacy efforts.
• Ras Al Khaimah (UAE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Michigan's MENA Delegation, led by AACC, met with H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, at his palace in December 2024. Discussions focused on collaboration opportunities between Ras Al Khaimah and the state of Michigan. Wayne County highlighted port opportunities, while Oakland and Washtenaw counties emphasized foreign direct investment and education roles. Sheikh Saud is a University of Michigan graduate.
• U.S. Department of State / Under Secretary Jose W. FernandezcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024At the 32nd Annual Building Economic Bridges Gala (October 2024), Under Secretary of State Jose W. Fernandez announced a strategic trade delegation to Qatar, Oman, and UAE in partnership with the AACC and Michigan Municipal League and Foundation. The Under Secretary also participated in the Michigan Subnational Diplomacy initiative. A prior meeting took place at the Mackinac Policy Conference (June 2024) to discuss economic cooperation.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024MEDC CEO Quentin Messer and senior partnerships adviser Melanie Brown joined the AACC meeting with U.S. State Department Under Secretary Jose W. Fernandez at the Mackinac Policy Conference (June 2024). MEDC and the Chamber discussed economic priorities for Arab Americans in Michigan and explored future trade and business cooperation.
• Wayne County, Oakland County, and Washtenaw CountyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Michigan's MENA Delegation in December 2024 included representatives from Wayne County (highlighting port and trade partnerships), Oakland County (foreign direct investment), and Washtenaw County (education). The Chamber coordinated the multi-county delegation to Ras Al Khaimah.
• Doha Enterprises / Qatar 2010 ExhibitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010The AACC became a strategic partner of the Made in the USA – Qatar 2010 Exhibition, facilitated through Doha Enterprises. Chairman Ahmad Chebbani stated the Chamber had 'a long history of trying to build bridges between US companies and the Arab World' and was 'delighted to facilitate this new relationship with Qatar, the most vibrant economy in the Gulf Region.' This partnership facilitated representation of American firms at the exhibition.
• Arab LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002The AACC pioneered the first US-Arab Economic Forum in 2002 alongside the Arab League, with over 1,000 participants including major world leaders and heads of state. The forum aimed to promote stronger economic and commercial ties between the United States and Arab countries, explore trade and technological opportunities, forge public-private partnerships, and honor Arab American contributions to the economy.
• American Middle East Economic Affairs Committee (AMEEAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Co-founded and chaired by Ahmad Chebbani, AMEEAC spearheads the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum (USAEF). Under his leadership, the USAEF hosted three globally impactful conferences (2003, 2006, and 2008) uniting leaders and entrepreneurs from the U.S. and Arab world to promote economic collaboration and regional stability.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Black Chamber of Commerce: Chamber advocating for African American businesses through networking, policy advocacy, and access to capital. Closely analogous to AACC's mission and structure as a community-led national chamber for an underrepresented U.S. business community.
• U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce: National chamber serving Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses with education, advocacy, and business development programs. Operates a similar ethnic-chamber model to AACC, including corporate partnerships and programming.
• United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: National Hispanic business chamber providing advocacy, networking, and programs for Hispanic American entrepreneurs. Directly comparable to AACC as an ethnic-focused U.S. chamber of commerce with a similar membership, advocacy, and trade facilitation model.

Regional players

• British Arab Chamber of Commerce: UK-based chamber supporting trade and commercial ties between British and Arab businesses. Highly analogous mission and trade-facilitation focus as AACC, but operating in the UK rather than the United States.
• Qatar Chamber of Commerce: Qatar's principal private-sector chamber supporting Qatari businesses and international trade partners. Relevant peer for AACC's MENA trade delegation activities (Qatar trade mission announced 2024), though it serves the Qatari side of bilateral trade.
• Arab British Chamber of Commerce: London-based chamber promoting trade between the UK and the Arab world. Comparable to AACC's MENA trade focus and certification/promotion services, but anchored in British-Arab commerce rather than U.S.-Arab commerce.

Broad incumbents

• National Federation of Independent Business: Largest U.S. small business advocacy organization providing lobbying, member benefits, and resources. Comparable to AACC's small-business advocacy and member services model, but as a broad-based rather than ethnic-focused organization.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Largest U.S. business federation representing more than 3 million businesses. A broad incumbent analog of AACC's advocacy, networking, and policy work, but serving the entire U.S. business community rather than an ethnic niche.
• National Association of Manufacturers: Largest U.S. manufacturing trade association providing advocacy, networking, and member services. Comparable to AACC in its advocacy, events, and member program model, but oriented to a single industry vertical rather than an ethnic community.

Others

• National Urban League: Historic U.S. civil rights and economic empowerment organization supporting African American economic advancement through entrepreneurship and workforce programs. Adjacent to AACC in serving minority business community development but operating as a broader social services nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/americanarab.chamber
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-arab-chamber

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 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 American Arab Chamber of Commerce