ASAN PROGRAMS

Scale

Helping South Asians launch and grow businesses, creative ventures, and impactful initiatives.

Helping launch and grow businesses, creative ventures, and impactful initiatives through access to collaborators, customers, experienced leaders, funding, mentors, and strategic partners across ASAN's national network.

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Founders and investors talking at an ASAN gathering

Flagship venture-building cohort

ASAN Forward, Powered by ForwardShare

Build a Stronger Business in Six Months.

ASAN Forward combines experienced operators, hands-on venture-building services, and potential investment to help companies strengthen products, acquire customers, and accelerate growth.

For founders with paying customers or demonstrated market demand.

Up to $250KInvestment Capital

Up to $250KBusiness-Building Services

Subject to individual evaluation and terms. Capital and services are evaluated separately.

Cohort 0: 3 companies, starts December 1, 2026.

Cohort 1: 5–7 companies, starts March 1, 2027.

Cohort 0 applications close November 24, 2026, at 7 PM PT.

Explore ASAN Forward

ASAN and ForwardShare bringing founders and experienced operators together

Connections That Create Opportunities

Scale draws on ASAN's national network of founders, investors, business leaders, and strategic partners, built through hundreds of events, partnerships, and stories.

200+In-person events

300+Partnerships

1,000+Stories and conversations

50K+People reached through events

“I met an investor at an ASAN event who went on to invest in my company.”Aashumi · Founder

Entrepreneurship opportunities

More Ways to Build and Grow

Investors, founders, and entrepreneurs networking and attending an ASAN event.

Established event series

Investor Founder Connect

Connect With Founders and Investors

Meet founders, investors, and experienced operators through curated conversations and introductions that create opportunities for capital, customers, and strategic partnerships.

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Annual ASAN event

South Asian Business Expo

Connect Businesses With New Markets

ASAN's annual Business Expo connects entrepreneurs and businesses with prospective customers, buyers, investors, and strategic partners to create opportunities for commerce and growth.

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Get involved

Find Your Place in Scale

Founders & Entrepreneurs

Connect with investors, customers, operators, and partners to grow your business.

Explore ASAN Forward

Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Meet founders, find collaborators, and explore opportunities to start a business.

Connect With ASAN

Investors

Discover promising companies, meet founders, and explore investment opportunities.

Join as an Investor

Operators, Mentors & Advisors

Share your expertise, guide founders, and help businesses grow.

Mentor / Speaker / Expert Operator

Common questions

FAQ

What is Scale, and who can participate?

Scale is ASAN's entrepreneurship program for people building businesses, creative ventures, and impactful initiatives. It connects participants with collaborators, customers, experienced leaders, funding opportunities, mentors, and strategic partners. Entrepreneurs, creators, aspiring founders, and people developing new initiatives can participate. Specific offerings, including ASAN Forward, have their own eligibility requirements.

What is ASAN Forward?

ASAN Forward is a six-month venture-building cohort powered by ForwardShare. Qualifying companies may be considered for up to $250,000 in investment capital and up to $250,000 in business-building services, subject to individual evaluation and agreements.

Does Scale provide investment capital?

ASAN connects entrepreneurs with investors and business opportunities. Through ASAN Forward, ForwardShare independently evaluates investments and negotiates terms directly with participating companies. ASAN takes no equity in participating companies.

How can I get involved?

Founders can explore ASAN Forward or participate in Investor Founder Connect. Aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, operators, mentors, advisors, and partners can connect with ASAN through the general intake form.

ASAN founders and professionals together

What Are You Building?

Whether you're growing a company, exploring your first venture, investing, or contributing expertise, Scale connects you with people and opportunities that can help.

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