The COVID-19 pandemic hit AAPI business owners across the country hard. Now as signs of recovery emerge, the long tail of COVID's economic impact on small businesses continues. We recognize the power of Asian and Pacific Islander American entrepreneurs and have partnered with community organizations with support from Meta to provide $2 million in cash grants to help business owners stabilize, innovate, and grow.
AAPISTRONG: Small Business Grants will award Asian and Pacific Islander American-owned businesses cash grants and other valuable resources:
$10,000 cash awards to give a boost to 40 AAPI business owners who launched their businesses during the pandemic
$25,000 cash awards to 60 AAPI business owners who launched prior to pandemic and made it through, where a cash grant could help take their vision to the next level
AAPISTRONG: Small Business Grants is a project of National ACE and Reimagine Main Street, with support from Meta.
Eligibility Requirements
The business must be Asian American/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian (AAPI) majority-owned (51% or more AAPI-owned).
The business must be based and operating in the United States.
The business must currently be in operation.
The business is legal and for-profit.
For businesses that launched prior to 1 January 2020: Revenue of at least $100,000 in each calendar year 2019, 2020, 2021
For businesses that launched on or after January 1, 2020 and by at least December 31, 2021: Must have average monthly revenue of at least $1K since launch
You are able and willing to document your revenue.
Why AAPI Entrepreneurs?
The COVID-19 pandemic hit Asian and Pacific Islander American entrepreneurs across the country hard. Small business owners have had to pivot their models or shift gears completely, and AAPI-owned businesses have also faced increased xenophobia and bigotry.
We recognize the power of Asian and Pacific Islander American entrepreneurs, and know all too well that economic barriers and bias all too often stifle the growth and innovation that AAPI entrepreneurs can bring to our economy.
By providing cash grants and other valuable resources, we can fuel the aspirations and boost the trajectory of more than 100 Asian and Pacific Islander American entrepreneurs across the United States.
