Powered by ForwardShare Ventures, ASAN Forward opens applications today for its first two cohorts of entrepreneurs.
| The American South Asian Network (ASAN) today launched Scale, its national entrepreneurship initiative, and ASAN Forward, its first cohort-based venture-building program, powered by ForwardShare Ventures. Selected ventures may qualify for up to $250,000 in investment capital and up to $250,000 in venture-building services, with flexible allocations tailored to each business.
Scale helps entrepreneurs and creators launch and grow businesses, creative ventures, and other entrepreneurial initiatives through access to customers, investors, experienced leaders, mentors, and strategic partners across ASAN's national network.
Applications Open for Cohorts
ASAN Forward is accepting applications for:
- Cohort 0: Three founding ventures for a pilot beginning December 1, 2026. Applications close November 24, with selections announced November 30. Open to US-based ventures.
- Cohort 1: Five to seven ventures beginning March 1, 2027. Applications close January 31, with the cohort publicly announced March 1.
All application deadlines are 7 PM Pacific.
Founders across industries and backgrounds are welcome, with particular encouragement for South Asian entrepreneurs. Ventures with revenue or demonstrated customer demand are especially encouraged to apply, although promising earlier-stage companies will also be considered.
Bringing Together Community, Capital, and Execution
ASAN has built a national network through more than 200 events, 1,000 stories and conversations, and 300 partnerships, reaching over 50,000 people. Community connections have helped facilitate approximately $5 million in investments, dozens of internships and jobs, and the development of businesses and creative projects.
Scale builds on these results, with ASAN Forward adding hands-on venture-building expertise and potential investment capital.
ForwardShare is a New York-based venture studio, expert operator network, and early-stage investor. It co-founds and co-builds sustainable companies with founders by investing its expertise and capital to bring ideas to market quickly.
“Great founders stall when the access, expertise, capital and execution they need depend on who they know. ASAN Scale brings all four together, with ASAN’s national community and ForwardShare’s studio and expert operators behind every founder. Our founding cohort will help shape it from day one,” said Vish Rao Dumpeti, Founder, CEO & Managing Partner, ForwardShare.
ASAN Forward connects selected ventures with experienced operators to tackle growth challenges, strengthen execution, and accelerate business development.
Depending on each venture's needs, support may include customer acquisition, business development, strategic partnerships, fundraising preparation, operational execution, and visibility through ASAN's media and community platforms.
ForwardShare will independently evaluate investment opportunities and determine applicable funding and commercial terms. Selection into a cohort does not guarantee investment or a specific services allocation.
Building the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Beyond ASAN Forward, Scale connects entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, customers, and experienced business leaders to help launch and grow ventures across the country.
The initiative supports ventures across industries, including technology, consumer businesses, creative enterprises, and other emerging companies.
“Across ASAN, we've seen introductions lead to investments, new businesses, and career opportunities. Scale builds on those results by connecting more entrepreneurs with the capital, expertise, and relationships they need to launch and grow. We want to help build the next generation of entrepreneurs shaping America's economy and communities,” said Nitin Bajaj, Co-founder, ASAN.
Get Involved
Founders: Apply to ASAN Forward at asan.fyi/asanforward.
Investors, expert operators, and strategic partners: Explore opportunities to collaborate at asan.fyi/plug.
