California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce

Last year, five incredible founders took the Trailblazers stage—a few walking away with funding, visibility, and powerful new connections.

🥇 Kanna Ecklund – ASAICHI
🥈 Valerie Bernal – Parker and Talia
🥉 Charlyn Bender, Esq. – Averie

This year, it could be YOU. ✨

The CalAsian Chamber and National ACE, in partnership with Empower and ACE NextGen, are now accepting applications for the 9th Annual Trailblazers: Women Innovators Pitch Competition.

🏆 Pitch LIVE
💡 Grow your business
🤝 Connect with decision-makers

Event Details:
📆 August 20, 2026
⏰ 5:00 - 8:00 pm
📍 UCI Beall Applied Innovation Building @ The Cove
📣 Apply by June 25: https://forms.gle/qR5kS1emST52orgbA

Want to attend? Register: https://womeninnovate2026.eventbrite.com/?aff=Facebook

Looking for more than a one-time workshop?

Empower provides comprehensive support designed to help businesses grow stronger and more competitive.

Participants receive:
• One-on-one technical assistance and business coaching
• Guidance on funding, grants, and loan readiness
• Connections to ecosystem and industry partners
• Practical workshops and webinars
• Contract and procurement support

🔗 Explore the program:
https://calasiancc.org/empower/

Need help feeling more confident with technology?

CEDA is offering FREE Chromebooks and beginner-friendly computer and internet training for residents in Sacramento, Stockton, and Calaveras Counties.
✔️ No experience needed
✔️ Only about 8 hours of training
✔️ Learn basic digital skills
✔️ Free device to income eligible participants while supplies last

Whether you want to improve your digital skills, apply for jobs online, connect with family, or grow your confidence using technology, this program was designed for you.

Register today: https://calasiancc.org/ceda/

🚨 Application Deadline Extended! 🚨

Women entrepreneurs, you now have more time to apply for the 9th Annual Trailblazers: Women Innovators Pitch Competition—now in its 5th year as a live pitch competition! ✨

Applications are now open through June 25 for the opportunity to pitch your business live in front of investors, corporate leaders, and community supporters at UCI Beall Applied Innovation in Irvine, CA.

💡 Top 5 finalists will be selected by a third-party review committee
🏆 Compete for funding, visibility, and growth opportunities
🤝 Gain access to mentorship, networking, and valuable connections

📍 August 20, 2026
⏰ 5:00 – 8:00 PM
📌 UCI Beall Applied Innovation @ The Cove | Irvine, CA

If you’re building something bold and innovative, we want to hear from you.

👉 Apply + learn more: https://forms.gle/qR5kS1emST52orgbA
🎟️ Want to attend? https://womeninnovate2026.eventbrite.com/?aff=Facebook

“Working with the EMPOWER program has been transformative for our startup.”

Stories like Kevin Damoa’s are exactly why EMPOWER exists. 💪🏻

Through mentorship, business guidance, and support around scaling, pitching, and fundraising, EMPOWER helps entrepreneurs access the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to grow with confidence. GLID Technologies is one example of how innovative founders can accelerate their growth when paired with the right ecosystem of support.

We’re proud to support entrepreneurs building the future of transportation, technology, logistics, and beyond.

✅ Learn More: https://calasiancc.org/empower/
✅ Intake Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaoA4XKWBzQJCgZhir0yKiOY8zNLLTHJ9l5eTANtUSBO9O8A/viewform

You built it—now pitch it.

Hosted by CalAsian Chamber and National ACE, Trailblazers is a platform designed to elevate women entrepreneurs—powered in partnership with Empower and ACE NextGen.

✨ Visibility for your business
🤝 Connections with decision-makers
🚀 Real growth opportunities

Event Details:
📆 August 20, 2026
⏰ 5:00 - 8:00 pm
📍 UCI Beall Applied Innovation Building @ The Cove
📣 Apply by June 1: https://forms.gle/qR5kS1emST52orgbA

Want to attend? Register: https://womeninnovate2026.eventbrite.com/?aff=Facebook

Starting your business journey? Build it the right way.

Empower helps early-stage entrepreneurs strengthen their fundamentals—from business planning and financial literacy to microloan readiness.

With the right tools, guidance, and support, entrepreneurs can launch with confidence and build a foundation for long-term success.

Your foundation matters. Let’s build it together.

🔗 Learn more and apply:
https://calasiancc.org/empower/

Before Trailblazers, Kanna Ecklund, founder of ASAICHI, was navigating a familiar challenge—limited exposure, limited funding, and figuring out how to take her business to the next level.

Trailblazers helped change that.

✨ Mentorship + pitch coaching
🤝 Strategic connections
🏆 $7,500 in funding

Since then, she’s secured additional funding, launched pilot programs, filed a patent, and is preparing for a full product launch. 🚀

This could be your story next.

The CalAsian Chamber and National ACE, in partnership with Empower and ACE NextGen, are now accepting applications for the 9th Annual Trailblazers: Women Innovators Pitch Competition.

Event Details:
📆 August 20, 2026
⏰ 5:00 - 8:00 pm
📍 UCI Beall Applied Innovation Building @ The Cove
📣 Apply by June 1

👉 Apply + learn more: https://forms.gle/qR5kS1emST52orgbA
🎟️ Want to attend? Register: https://womeninnovate2026.eventbrite.com/?aff=Facebook

🚀 Applications are NOW OPEN!

The California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian Chamber) and National ACE, in partnership with Empower and ACE NextGen, invite women entrepreneurs to apply for the 9th Annual Trailblazers: Women Innovators Pitch Competition.

✨ Pitch LIVE in front of investors
💡 Gain exposure + mentorship
🏆 Compete for funding + resources

Event Details:
📆 August 20, 2026
⏰ 5:00 - 8:00 pm
📍 UCI Beall Applied Innovation Building @ The Cove
📣 Apply by June 1

👉 Apply + learn more: https://forms.gle/qR5kS1emST52orgbA
🎟️ Want to attend? Register: https://womeninnovate2026.eventbrite.com/?aff=Facebook

Empower supports entrepreneurs across industries and communities.

From construction and logistics to technology, health services, and food systems, the program helps businesses access the resources they need to grow.

Empower is especially focused on supporting:
✔ Community-based businesses
✔ Entrepreneurs in rural and underinvested communities
✔ Veteran-owned businesses
✔ Small businesses seeking access to capital and contracts

If you’re ready to strengthen your business, we’re here to help.
🔗 Learn more: https://calasiancc.org/empower/