AAPI LA

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.

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

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

• Community event organizing
• Nonprofit coalition building
• Heritage month programming
• Small business support
• Cultural celebration events

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Smorgasburg LAflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2026Long-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 MarketflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 May 2026Presenting 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiscal 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 BassflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity-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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Angeles City Councilmember representing District 4, providing city support and recognition for AAPI LA initiatives.
• Councilmember Ysabel Jurado (CD14)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos 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 MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution dedicated to preserving and sharing Chinese American history through exhibitions, education, and community programs. Community partner for AAPI LA Market 2026.
• Project by ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer-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 CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen- 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 StudioscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDigital 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 PhotographyminorOthersPhotographer capturing event coverage for AAPI LA Market, documenting vendor performances and community activities.
• Los Angeles County Department of Economic OpportunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty-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 DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity 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 WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity 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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@aapila
• Instagraminstagram.com/aapi_la

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 AAPI LA