AAPI LA
AAPI LA is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs the annual AAPI LA Market at Smorgasburg ROW DTLA, the Asian American Stories podcast, and Heritage Month programming to support AAPI-owned small businesses and celebrate AANHPI culture, funded through vendor fees collected as donations via fiscal sponsor APCF.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- Headquarters—
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What AAPI LA does
AAPI LA (legal name: Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Los Angeles) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2021 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, that organizes programs and events supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and businesses. Its core product is the annual AAPI LA Market at Smorgasburg ROW DTLA, now in its fifth year (2026), which convenes 30+ AAPI-owned food, beverage, and merchandise vendors for a single day of commerce and cultural celebration during AANHPI Heritage Month. Beyond the signature market, AAPI LA operates the Asian American Stories podcast (presented in partnership with the LA Mayor's Office and distributed via Simplecast to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts), a Vendor Portal & Application System for SMB event registration, an AAPI Business Highlights recognition program run in partnership with city councilmembers, and a broader Heritage Month programming series spanning exhibitions, business summits, and cultural festivals.
The organization functions as an umbrella coalition of 20+ AAPI-serving nonprofits and community organizations, including the Chinese American Museum, Project by Project, and Yellow Chair Collective, and maintains institutional relationships with the Los Angeles Mayor's Office, Council Districts 4 and 14, the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, and the LA Civil Rights Department. Its technology stack is intentionally lightweight — WordPress, Mailchimp, Simplecast, Square, PayPal, and Google Drive — reflecting a volunteer-and-coalition operating model rather than a software-platform business.
AAPI LA's business model is donation-funded: vendor fees of $250 per individual booth or $350 per shared tent are collected as tax-deductible contributions through its fiscal sponsor, the Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF), supplemented by unrestricted donations via PayPal and corporate sponsorship (e.g., 99 Ranch Market as presenting sponsor of the 2026 market). Pricing is published and one-time per event participation. Go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, with vendor and performer recruitment through online application portals, amplified by a network of community partner organizations, an active Instagram presence (@aapi_la), email newsletters, and earned media through PRNewswire press releases. The customer base spans four segments: AAPI-owned small businesses (primary), AAPI entertainers/performers, AAPI community members, and corporate sponsors — with no enterprise software customers and no recurring SaaS revenue mechanics.
AAPI LA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AAPI LA
- Legal name
- Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Los Angeles
- Website
- https://aapila.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- AAPI LA is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs the annual AAPI LA Market at Smorgasburg ROW DTLA, the Asian American Stories podcast, and Heritage Month programming to support AAPI-owned small businesses and celebrate AANHPI culture, funded through vendor fees collected as donations via fiscal sponsor APCF.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AAPI LA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Event Organizing and Cultural Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Brand Activations & Experiential Campaign Design (MPAAAGAA)
Keywords
AAPI LA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, AAPI LA primarily raises funds through donations. Vendor fees are requested as donations to support the organization's mission of community building and supporting local AAPI small businesses.
- Vendor Participation Fees: Vendor fees of $250 per activation space ($350 for shared tents) are collected as donations through the Asian Pacific Community Fund, AAPI LA's fiscal partner.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | Individual Vendor Booth - $250 donation |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | Shared Vendor Tent - $350 donation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
AAPI LA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AAPI LA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes community programs and events supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and businesses in Los Angeles. Its primary offerings are the annual AAPI LA Market at Smorgasburg ROW DTLA (a curated AAPI food, retail, and cultural event), AANHPI Heritage Month programming, the Asian American Stories podcast, the AAPI Business Highlights recognition program with LA City Councilmembers, and a vendor application portal.
Product overview
AAPI LA is a nonprofit organization that operates a platform of community programs and events serving the Asian American Pacific Islander community in Los Angeles. The core offerings include the annual AAPI LA Market at Smorgasburg (a curated food, retail, and cultural event), the Asian American Stories Podcast (featuring interviews with community leaders), the Vendor Portal & Application System (enabling AAPI businesses to participate in events), the AAPI Business Highlights Program (recognizing AAPI-owned businesses), and AAPI Heritage Month Programming (month-long May celebrations). These products work together to amplify AAPI voices, support small businesses, and celebrate AANHPI culture and contributions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Asian American Stories Podcast: A podcast presented in collaboration with the Los Angeles Mayor's Office, featuring interviews with AAPI community leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, and cultural figures in Los Angeles.
Products and services
- AAPI LA Market Annual outdoor market event celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month, bringing together AAPI-owned food vendors, retailers, performers, and community partners for a day of culture, food, music, and commerce at Smorgasburg ROW DTLA in Los Angeles.
- Asian American Stories Podcast Flagship podcast series featuring interviews with AAPI community leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, and public officials, distributed via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
- Vendor Portal and Application System Online platform enabling AAPI businesses to apply for participation in the AAPI LA Market, featuring account creation, multi-step application forms, document uploads, status tracking, and a vendor dashboard.
Quantifiable outcome
- Thousands of attendees at annual markets
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use AAPI LA
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AAPI LA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AAPI LA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Smorgasburg LAflagshipLong-term event partnership hosting the annual AAPI LA Market at ROW DTLA. Smorgasburg provides the venue and infrastructure for the premier AAPI celebration event, now in its 5th year. The partnership creates a platform for AAPI food, culture, and community celebration.
- 99 Ranch MarketflagshipPresenting sponsor for the 5th Annual AAPI LA Market. 99 Ranch Market is a major Asian grocery chain supporting AAPI community events and small business visibility.
- Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF)coreFiscal partner for AAPI LA, managing donation processing for vendor fees and event funding. APCF provides 501(c)(3) status and administrative infrastructure.
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen BassflagshipCity-level support for AAPI LA events and programs. The Mayor's Office participates in Asian Media Roundtables and provides institutional support for heritage month celebrations.
- Councilmember Nithya Raman (CD4)coreLos Angeles City Councilmember representing District 4, providing city support and recognition for AAPI LA initiatives.
- Councilmember Ysabel Jurado (CD14)coreLos Angeles City Councilmember representing District 14, providing city support and recognition for AAPI LA initiatives. First Filipina elected to L.A. City Council.
- Chinese American MuseumcoreCultural institution dedicated to preserving and sharing Chinese American history through exhibitions, education, and community programs. Community partner for AAPI LA Market 2026.
- Project by ProjectcoreVolunteer-driven Asian American nonprofit creating leadership opportunities and supporting community organizations through service, fundraising, and civic engagement. Provides volunteer support for AAPI LA Market events.
- Yellow Chair CollectiveminorWomen- and clinician-owned mental health practice specializing in therapy, wellness programs, and support for Asian and Asian American communities. Community partner for AAPI LA Market 2026.
- Citrus StudioscoreDigital agency providing website development, marketing, and creative services. Site by Citrus Studios as noted on website footer; team members Vincent, Aryssa, and Luke support digital marketing.
- Alan Silva PhotographyminorPhotographer capturing event coverage for AAPI LA Market, documenting vendor performances and community activities.
- Los Angeles County Department of Economic OpportunitycoreCounty-level organization focused on supporting economic growth, workforce development, and opportunities for businesses and communities. Community partner for AAPI LA Market 2026.
- Los Angeles Civil Rights DepartmentcoreCity department advancing equity, inclusion, and protections for civil and human rights across Los Angeles communities. Community partner for AAPI LA Market 2026.
- LA County Public WorksminorCity department helping maintain and improve essential infrastructure, public services, and community spaces. Community partner for AAPI LA Market 2026.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AAPI LA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles: A Los Angeles–based AAPI-focused legal and civil rights nonprofit serving the same AAPI community in LA, with overlapping city-government relationships and shared mission of AAPI empowerment and representation.
- Gold House: A cultural and community organization for APIs across industries that runs events, cultural programming, and community-building initiatives — directly comparable to AAPI LA's coalition-and-events model but with broader national scope.
- The Asian American Foundation (TAAF): National AAPI nonprofit funding community organizations and running signature programming; competes with AAPI LA for the same donor dollars, corporate sponsors, and AAPI community mindshare.
- Korean American Coalition: Los Angeles–based AAPI nonprofit serving Korean American community through civic engagement, events, and advocacy — operates in the same geography with similar event-driven, coalition-style engagement.
- Chinese American Museum: Los Angeles cultural institution serving AAPI community through exhibitions, education, and events; a current AAPI LA community partner with directly comparable mission around AAPI cultural visibility.
- Project by Project: Volunteer-driven Asian American nonprofit creating leadership opportunities and supporting community organizations through service and fundraising; current AAPI LA partner with comparable volunteer-led event programming model.
Broad incumbents
- OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates: Established national AAPI advocacy nonprofit with chapters across multiple cities; operates at broader geographic scale than AAPI LA while addressing overlapping community-advocacy and civic-engagement missions.
- Japanese American Citizens League (JACL): Long-standing national AAPI civil rights organization with chapters in California; comparable in advocacy, event programming, and partnership-driven community engagement, though with a narrower ethnic focus.
Others
- Smorgasburg LA: Long-term venue partner that hosts the AAPI LA Market at ROW DTLA; comparable as an event-driven organization curating vendor marketplaces in LA, though commercial rather than mission-driven.
Emerging players
- API Forward Movement: Civic engagement nonprofit focused on AAPI political participation and community empowerment; comparable in scope (AAPI-specific civic mission) but more focused on voter engagement than events.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AAPI LA social profiles
Digital presenceAAPI LA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AAPI LA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
AAPI LA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AAPI LA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AAPI LA
What does AAPI LA do?
AAPI LA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes community programs and events supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and businesses in Los Angeles. Its primary offerings are the annual AAPI LA Market at Smorgasburg ROW DTLA (a curated AAPI food, retail, and cultural event), AANHPI Heritage Month programming, the Asian American Stories podcast, the AAPI Business Highlights recognition program with LA City Councilmembers, and a vendor application portal.
Is AAPI LA a public or private company?
AAPI LA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AAPI LA founded?
AAPI LA was founded in -1.
How does AAPI LA make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are vendor Participation Fees.
Who are AAPI LA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, Gold House, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), Korean American Coalition, Chinese American Museum and Project by Project. Broad incumbents are OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates and Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). Smorgasburg LA is listed as an others. API Forward Movement is listed as an emerging player.
Does AAPI LA have an API?
No public API is recorded for AAPI LA.
What industry is AAPI LA in?
AAPI LA's product category is Community Event Organizing and Cultural Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAGAA, Brand Activations & Experiential Campaign Design. Its NAICS code is 71 and its SIC code is 7311.