Success Stories
Our Success Stories highlight the journeys, challenges, and accomplishments of cohort members, pitch contestants, and program participants across our community.
"ElevAsian plays a critical role in supporting Cambodian American entrepreneurs and providing a pathway for upward economic mobility, fostering innovative and new businesses, and providing AAPI women with opportunities they may not have had otherwise. In partnership with the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, I have seen the impact of their work firsthand, and am proud to support their work."
— State Representative Vanna Howard, 17th Middlesex District-Lowell & Tewksbury, 1st Cambodian woman elected to a U.S. state legislature
“What a mesmerizing experience I had last night; being a judge for the ElevAsian Business Pitch Contest celebrated at Middlesex Community College in Lowell. Thanks a million to Andrew Goldberg, Mealea Chan-Polcari and Ren Lanzi for the invite, you guys are doing a great job with the community. What an honor to support and elevate our AAPI entrepreneurs side by side with my fellow judges panel, two powerhouses like Sandhya Balasubramanian and Susu Wong.
Your passion and commitment to our small business ecosystem is beyond remarkable. Congratulations to all participants and especially to the winners. Vichtcha Kong, thanks for joining us to celebrate these entrepreneurs and their journey. Abby Nguyen-Burke, the food was A+++ but what I loved the most was the diverse and innovative business concepts showcased at the event.”
– Mr. Jose Abreu, AVP, Eastern Bank Equity Alliance for Business, Lowell Pitch Contest Judge
360ed Tech
“Starting a business anywhere is undoubtedly challenging, and doing so in a new country as an immigrant adds an extra layer of complexity. Having a network like ElevAsian (formerly known as ABTM) can provide the support and guidance needed to navigate these hurdles more effectively.
Simply put ElevAsian is a family with whom you can learn, share pains and challenges, and find solutions together. It's like finding my tribe. Elders aka well-seasoned entrepreneurs, professors, and business leaders can guide you to the next right step and or introduce you to others who can guide you to the next best move. You can be as involved as you like to be, just attending a traditional ElevAsian program or you can even join ElevAsian’s Mentorship Program 2.0 where you continue building relationships with your mentors and select new mentors who are more relevant to your current situation and challenges. It's an honor and joy to be part of ElevAsian.”
– Ms. Hla Hla Win
Pitch Contest winner, 3rd Cohort Alumna
Eye Lush Salon
“Once I made the life-changing decision to join ElevAsian [formerly known as ABTM aka Asian Business Training & Mentorship Program] my entrepreneurial journey took an extraordinary turn. ElevAsian’s focus on uncovering the true purpose behind my venture ignited a fire within me, driving my passion to new heights. What made the experience truly exceptional was the intimate setting that fostered deep connections with fellow small business owners. In this tight-knit community, I found unwavering support, never feeling alone in the challenges I faced. The incredible individuals leading the program were not just experts in their fields; they genuinely cared about my personal growth and success. ElevAsian guided me through every aspect of running a business, from the very inception to planning a thoughtful exit strategy, empowering me to realize my dreams with confidence and determination.”
– Ms. Thuy Leung
1st Cohort Alumna
Very Funghi
“Andy, great work with this line up! The next session will be awesome! To everyone else - I am a student from the prior cohort that Andy put together. It was a very good program and always kept me thinking about business and having resources to ping those hard thoughts onto. Otherwise the grind gets the best of me and I get locked into day-to-day scope. I very recently had some rough events occur and one of my cohort peers reached out to me! Let's just say her company (and her herself!) are sweeeeet! I am super excited to be connected and support other Asians as we all try to figure out this entrepreneurship thing.”
– Mr. Chaz Hing
Winner of the New Venture Track in 2nd Pitch Contest
Gangnam Spice
“Participating in the ElevAsian program helped me grow as a first-time entrepreneur and allowed me to build connections with so many others who are going through similar struggles as entrepreneurs. Not only do these connections provide emotional support, but the talent and skill sets offered by the members have been extremely valuable..”
– Mr. Richard Kim
4th Cohort Alum
Hoogah LLC
“Thank you so much for the opportunity yesterday. It was truly an honor to be part of such an inspiring gathering. I deeply appreciated the chance to share my story — and even more so, to hear from so many passionate entrepreneurs and listen to the dreams they’re building. The energy in the room was electric, and the spirit of innovation and community was so refreshing.
It's not every day you get to be surrounded by people who are not only dreaming big but taking bold steps to make those dreams real. I walked away feeling more motivated than ever, and I'm truly grateful for the chance to be a part of it. Thank you again for your leadership, generosity, and for creating space where founders feel seen and supported. Looking forward to staying in touch and continuing the conversation.”
– Ms. Khushi Yadav
Lowell Pitch Contestant
Kay's Curries
“I just wanted to thank you for such a thoughtful and energizing event. The entire ElevAsian experience — from the care in the details to the inspiring group of founders and judges — was incredibly well done. I left feeling truly seen, supported, and proud to be part of this amazing community. Winning second place was an honor, but even more meaningful was the energy and connection in the room. I look forward to continuing to support ElevAsian and everything you're building — please keep me in the loop for what’s ahead!”
– Ms. Kalpana Kethineedi
Lowell Pitch Contest Existing Track 2nd Place Winner
“It was truly an honor to attend the ElevAsian contest last night and witness the resilience and spirit of the Asian community in Massachusetts. As I mentioned during our conversation, many of the participants appeared to be first-generation immigrants. It’s inevitable that they face various challenges in both life and work here in the U.S., yet the optimism and determination they showed were incredibly moving.
Most of them run small businesses, but what stood out was their courage to build something from the ground up—not only to support their families but also to celebrate and share their cultural heritage, enriching the local community with diversity. One moment that especially touched me was the lady who was so nervous on stage that she struggled to speak. And yet, she eventually presented her artwork with such grace—it was beautiful and brave.
That moment, to me, embodied the spirit of the American Dream. In today’s uncertain world, it felt especially inspiring. Thank you for all that you do for the Asian community. None of this would be possible without your dedication. I feel fortunate to have connected with the ElevAsian community. Coming to the U.S. was not just a professional journey for me—it was also a personal one. I want to broaden my life experience and understand how diverse societies thrive. I believe Boston and Massachusetts are the perfect places for that. I hope I can contribute more to the community going forward.”
– Ms. May Wang, US Segment Manager for Solar & Sustainability, TÜV Rheinland North America
Bo Interior Design
“I’m very glad that I had the courage to go up in front of strangers and pitch my business for the very first time. It’s not just a great opportunity but a great learning experience... I enjoyed the fact that I was able to see other peoples’ styles of pitching, which I actually learned from and picked up a few different pointers as well. It’s a great competition to be involved in to help break the ice when it comes to public speaking. I found that ever since I did that, I have a lot more confidence… I had a lot of support and it was a very good energy there! "
– Ms. Bo Toun
The Winner of the Audience Favorite Prize in the 4th Pitch Contest; 4th Cohort Alumna
Potencia
“Potencia wouldn't have reached where it is today without the pitch contest, the coaching, and the network it brings. The contest also helped us get our foot in the door of the City of Malden. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity you provided.”
– Ms. Amanda Wang
1st Place Winner on the Existing Business Track in the 4th Pitch Contest
WhoozCooking
“[Andy and his team] really supported us and offered us guidance on how the pitch night would go, what the duration would be, …and who we were up against. We had a panel of judges who were extremely supportive. You didn’t feel like you were on the spot at all. I actually connected with a few of the judges afterwards and am still in touch with them. I think [ElevAsian] is a wonderful initiative. I believe in Andy and his team. They continue to support entrepreneurs at all levels and I wish them the best of luck."
– Ms. Manisha Sethi
3rd Pitch Contest
Rosetta Languages
“I participated in the Asian Business Pitch Contest and it was an amazing experience. This is the first time I ever participated in any pitch contest. Very nervous at the beginning, …but I did it and it was a really cool experience and cool to see all of the other entrepreneurs and their ideas and connect with them. Plus, it connected me to all these different kinds of resources and networks. Really looking forward to the next steps of my business. This was a huge boost to me!”
– Mr. Danyal Najmi
3rd Place Winner of the Existing Business Track in the 4th Pitch Contest