8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Bagels from Rollin Bagels & Coffee from Nguyen Coffee Supply

9:00 AM - 9:10 AM

Melody Chen - ACE NextGen Chairperson and President of Maruson Technology

9:15 AM - 10:00 AM

Founders in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry share their journeys, strategies, challenges, and triumphs. As the demand for Asian flavors continues to grow, these trailblazing entrepreneurs will offer unique insights into navigating this vibrant market.

Introduction: Joanne Tabellija-Murphy - National Director, Public Affairs-Corporate Affairs of Walmart

Moderator: Brian Choi - CEO of The Food Institute

Speakers: Jake Deleon - Founder of Fila Manila; Carol Pak - Founder of Makku; Taufeek Shah - Founder of Lola’s Fine Hot Sauce

9:15 AM - 10:00 AM

Experienced investors and entrepreneurs share their expertise in determining the best funding options for your unique business needs, such as venture capital, angel investment, crowdfunding, and bootstrapping. Learn how to assess your business’s financial requirements, understand investor expectations, and make informed decisions to secure the right funding.

Moderator: Liang Zhao - CEO of Vansary

Speakers: Robin Li - VP of Investor Relations of Notable; Christine Keung - General Partner of J2 Ventures; Le Zhang - Founder of Spaceport; Ratnabali Majumdar - Vice President of JPMorgan Chase

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

Leading female entrepreneurs will share their personal journeys, challenges, and successes in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Discover strategies for achieving harmony between entrepreneurial ambitions and mental well-being.

Moderator: Stephanie Seow, Head of North America of Love, Bonito

Speakers: Soo Jin Lee - Executive Director of Yellow Chair Collective; Jacklyn Lee - COO of Passion Planner; Mai Shimada - CEO of Isha Health

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

Join us for an illuminating discussion hosted by Adeel Afshar, Managing Director of the ACE NextGen Accelerator program. Over 150+ businesses graduated through our accelerator, and cumulatively raised over $17M in funds. We've brought three of the top founders from the accelerator to share about their journey into entrepreneurship and provide insight for others. You won't want to miss it.

Moderator: Adeel Afshar - Managing Director of ACE NextGen

Speakers: Samreen Arshad - Makeup Artist and Founder of Samreen's Vanity; John Victoria - CEO of Polianna and Blue Collar Engine Podcast

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

Breathwork with Louisa Li - Founder of Shanti House

11:00 AM

Kevin Felix Chan - Co-Founder & CEO of Best Delegate, ACE NextGen Executive Advisor

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Hear from financial experts, successful entrepreneurs, and wealth advisors as they share their knowledge on creating and preserving wealth that can be passed down through generations. Topics will include smart investing, financial planning and therapy, real estate and business ownership.

Moderator: Michelle Collins - Founder of A\N/A A Non-Agency®

Speakers: Rick Hu - Founder & CEO, Wealth Management Advisor of Midas Wealth; Dr. Lanna Cheuck DO, FACS - Founder of LC Medical LLC; Lawrence Yeh - CEO & Founder of ZoneUp, HireTable and RiceRollUp

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

This panel delves into the nuances of professional negotiation, offering strategies to navigate complex discussions, resolve conflicts, and secure beneficial outcomes. Hear from a seasoned negotiator as he/she shares techniques for effective preparation, building rapport, and maintaining control in challenging scenarios. Whether you’re negotiating a raise, closing deals, or managing stakeholder expectations, this session will provide you with expert insights to refine your approach and boost your influence in the workplace. Discover how mastering the art of negotiation can position you as a strong leader and enhance your professional success.

Moderator: Caren Khoo - Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, IP, Global Technology Solutions, Technology & Product Development of Verizon

Speakers: Katherine Lee - Senior Managing Associate General Counsel of the Verizon Business Group; Nicholas Vogt - Associate General Counsel of Verizon

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Meditation with Saya Tomioka, Yoga teacher & DJ

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM

Lunch catered by Potluck Club

1:00 PM

Lakhi Siap - Co-Founder of Chicago Asian Network

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Kolkata Chai available for attendees!

Learn how to unlock the potential of your personal brand from successful influencers, who will share their secrets to turning their brands into profitable ventures. Explore various monetization strategies, including social media partnerships, content creation, digital products, and personal services.

Moderator: Joanne Vo - Co-Founder of Ladies First

Speakers: Reva Bhatt - Founder and Creative Director of ROOTED; Kar-ho Leung - Co-Founder of 12Pell; Florence Shin - Co-Founder of Covry; Ani Sanyal - Co-Founder of Kolkata Chai

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

You've grown 10x and made exponential jumps in how you operate and think as a person many times in life. This workshop will explore how entrepreneurs have applied 10x to their businesses and provide space for you to brainstorm your next 10x jump and what you need to let go to create space for it.

Speaker: Kevin Felix Chan - Co-Founder of Best Delegate, and Momentium

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Meditation with Ray Chou - Co-Founder of Mythworks

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

Explore the intersection of food and community impact as NYC restaurateurs discuss how they are driving social change, building connections and supporting the local economy by nourishing beyond the plate. Learn how these AAPI restaurant owners are making a meaningful difference in the community through the power of food.

Moderator: Jaeki Cho of Righteous Eats

Speakers: Winston Chiu - Founder & Executive Director of More than a Meal; Cory Ng - Owner of Potluck Club; Helen Nguyen - Owner of Saigon Social; Jennifer Saesue - Owner of Fishcheeks and Bangkok Supper Club

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

Dive into the evolving world of institutional cryptocurrency investments. Industry experts will unravel the complexities of institutional involvement in the crypto space, covering topics such as regulatory challenges, investment strategies, and emerging trends.

Moderator: Chewy Jang - Chief of Staff of Spaceport and Owner of Seoulbap

Speakers: Kristina Tubera - Founder of Femme Finance; Lori Chen - Co-Founder & CEO of KyoVest; Kelly Ye - Head of Research of Decentral Park Capital

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

Breathwork with Louisa Li - Founder of Shanti House

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

Join us for a panel with Gen Z founders from Asian Founders Club who are redefining entrepreneurship as digital natives in the age of AI. From leaving behind traditional corporate jobs to tackling unsolved challenges, these young founders will share pivotal moments, lessons learned, and how they’re shaping the future of tech. You'll gain firsthand insights from founders operating at the forefront of AI and the personal stories of how they got there. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a tech enthusiast, or just curious about the future, this panel is your gateway to understanding how Gen Z is disrupting the status quo and paving the way for a better future.

Moderator: Jessica Shen - Co-Founder of Asian Founders Club

Speakers: Rushabh Mehta - Co-Founder & CTO of Pontus; Saumya Rawat - Co-Founder & CTO of Pharmesol