5TH ANNUAL MINORITY WOMEN LEAD WILL HOST A LIVE PITCH COMPETITION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2022
Contact: Matt Sumida
msumida@calasiancc.org
5TH ANNUAL MINORITY WOMEN LEAD WILL HOST A LIVE PITCH
COMPETITION
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (August. 9, 2022) — The California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian Chamber) and National ACE will host the 5th Annual Minority Women Lead on Thursday, August 25, 2022, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at The GlassHouse in San Jose,
featuring for the first time a live pitch competition. Five selected women entrepreneurs of color will pitch their businesses to a panel of established investors and business leaders, and the winner will receive $10,000 in funding.
Minority Women Lead is an annual event that emboldens and uplifts diverse women in business. For the fifth year in a row, this event will provide a space where women of color from across business industries can connect and build their networks. The event will return in person to the Silicon Valley after hosting virtual conversation series for 2020 and 2021.
California alone is home to more than 1.3 million women entrepreneurs, and women of color started 89% of new businesses since 2019. Despite this, businesswomen of color continue to face barriers to funding. To honor their perseverance, the 5th Annual Minority Women Lead’s live pitch competition will highlight some of the brightest entrepreneurial minds from across the nation and provide them with the opportunity to fund their business growth.
“Minority Women Lead was created to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit among women of color. We need to celebrate the contributions that minority women make to our economy,” said Pat Fong Kushida, President & CEO of the CalAsian Chamber, and Chiling Tong, President & CEO of National ACE, in a joint statement. “We are proud to showcase the talent of women entrepreneurs by adding the live pitch competition. Our organizations look forward to elevating the next generation of innovators.”
The CalAsian Chamber and National ACE recognize the power of a network for entrepreneurs. Returning to an in-person event will provide the chance for women to connect face-to-face. The power of these connections is a shared belief with presenting sponsor Comcast.
“Comcast recognizes the innovative contributions small businesses make to our country, both technological and personal,” said Lorena Hernandez, Director of Community Impact forComcast California. “Through the Comcast RISE program, Comcast has supported more than
500 small businesses owned by women and people of color in California alone. The 5th Annual Minority Women Lead will provide a space that honors the resiliency of women-owned businesses, championing them with a pride that Comcast shares.”
Registration for the 5th Annual Minority Women Lead event is open. General admission tickets are $25, and tickets for students and members of the CalAsian Chamber or National ACE are $15. Learn more about the event at minoritywomenlead.com and register to attend at minoritywomenlead.eventbrite.com.
About CalAsian Chamber
In 2010 the CalAsian Chamber was founded to give a voice to the over 600,000 AAPI-owned businesses in California. Today, the CalAsian Chamber is the largest statewide ethnic chamber in California, with the mission to grow and empower the AAPI business community throughout California. Visit www.calasiancc.org to learn more.
About National ACE
National ACE’s mission is to serve as a strong advocate of AAPI business interests and positive change on all issues that enhance and advance the goals and aspirations of AAPI business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. National ACE strives to do this through
supporting and promoting issues that impact the AAPI business community, improving the economic development and economic impact of the AAPI community, advancing coalitions and enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives. National ACE provides a unified voice for the business interests of AAPIs nationally.