AANHPI-owned firms across food service, healthcare, retail, and professional services power California.
Business, policy, and representation shape modern California.
Asian American population growth across California's largest regions.
- Los Angeles County1.50M
- Bay Area (9 county)1.42M
- Orange County620K
- San Diego County405K
- Sacramento Region290K
AANHPI small businesses drive California's economy.
More than 917,000 AANHPI-owned businesses operate across California's 58 counties.
AANHPI-owned businesses across California.
More than any other state, in all 58 counties.
In annual revenue generated statewide.
More revenue than California's entire agriculture sector.
California jobs supported.
Main Street employment close to where owners live.
Of the state's small business GDP.
One in five small business dollars statewide.
Source · ABA Foundation Economic Study 2026 · n = 2,847 firms · U.S. Census ABS · Q3 2025
Policymakers have not kept pace with economic and demographic changes.
AANHPI Californians represent 18% of the state population, but only 8% of the legislature. The rules shaping California business still lack proportional AANHPI representation.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Californians.
AANHPI members of the California State Senate and Assembly.
A ten-point gap between California's population and its decision-making institutions.
Bills affecting California businesses still move forward without in-language access. Procurement programs often fail to reach qualified AANHPI-owned firms. Capital access often breaks down at the application layer.
The fastest-growing electorate in the state.
As political participation grows, representation begins to align with California's economic reality.
- Santa Clara39%
- San Francisco36%
- Alameda32%
- San Diego29%
- Orange22%
- Sacramento18%
- Los Angeles17%
Source · CA Secretary of State · APIAVote · AAPI Data 2024
Advocacy shapes economic outcomes.
ABA California works across the Capitol, local chapters, and business communities to influence procurement, tax, and capital access policy statewide.
Statewide small business contracting reform
Lifts the small business share of state contracts from 25% to 35% with one unified certification.
Tax relief for first-generation owners
A 3-year franchise tax credit for first-generation, owner-operated firms. Out of committee 7–2.
In-language access to state lending
Translation standards across CalCAP, IBank, and CDFI partners, addressing the top friction owners flagged in our field survey.
2025–26 cycle · 9 bills tracked · 3 signed · 4 past committee · 11 hearings on record.
The Asian Business Association California is dedicated to educating, outreaching, mobilizing, and influencing policies to support Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander small businesses, fostering economic opportunity and a better quality of life for all Californians.