More than 100 founders, investors and startup ecosystem leaders from across Southern California gathered in Santa Monica for ASAN’s Investor Founder Connect on September 10.
American South Asian Network (ASAN), Expert DOJO, Commercial Bank of California and State Bank of India co-hosted the gathering, which drew participants from Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
“Bringing something like this to life takes partners who genuinely believe in founders and in building stronger communities around them,” said Dr. Nitin Bajaj, founder of ASAN. “We are grateful to Expert DOJO, Commercial Bank of California and State Bank of India for building this with us. Brian has also been a longtime friend, and the role he and Expert DOJO have played in building the founder ecosystem in Santa Monica for more than a decade is tremendous.”
“Communities like ASAN are at the heart of a strong founder ecosystem,” said Brian Mac Mahon, founder of Expert DOJO. “Founders need more than capital. They need relationships, access and a community that helps them move forward.”
Puja Sorathia of State Bank of India highlighted the bank’s commitment to supporting communities and the entrepreneurs emerging from them. “Strong communities create stronger businesses,” Sorathia said. “State Bank of India is proud to support organizations that bring people together and create opportunities for entrepreneurs.”
Commercial Bank of California has been a longtime supporter of both entrepreneurs and ASAN. “Entrepreneurs are an important part of the communities we serve, and supporting their growth has long been part of our work,” said Kathy Irby of Commercial Bank of California. “We are pleased to continue supporting ASAN as it creates more opportunities for founders to connect with capital, expertise and one another.”
The Southern California event is part of ASAN’s ongoing Investor Founder Connect series, with recent gatherings in New York City in June, Santa Monica in July and the Bay Area in August.
September extends that momentum, with upcoming Investor Founder Connect gatherings in Palo Alto, Austin, Houston and New York City.
The goal is straightforward: create repeated, high-quality opportunities for founders and investors to meet across markets, industries and stages, while building stronger connections among South Asian entrepreneurs, investors and the broader startup ecosystem nationally.
American South Asian Network (ASAN) is a national nonprofit focused on connecting and advancing younger South Asians in the United States through community, mentorship, professional opportunity, leadership development, representation, entrepreneurship and strategic partnerships.
