Twice the Fun✌️

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You may be wondering why the heck we sent the Uplifters Newsletter on a Monday.

Big news! We’re doubling the good stuff! Instead of just once a week, you’ll get two newsletters, full of insights, stories, and valuable content, sent weekly to your mailbox. 

Why? Because one is not enough. We want to keep you informed and inspired. So expect the quality, but this time, twice the knowledge and twice the fun. 

To kick off a new week, the Monday newsletter provides you with the latest updates on business, our community highlights, and invaluable tips. So, buckle up and let’s go!

If you find this newsletter interesting, refer it to your friends by sharing this link and receive amazing gifts from AHN!

LAST WEEK, ASIAN FOUNDERS DID 🎉

🚀 Dave Lu is starting a new position as Co-Founder of the Asian Leadership Center at Corporate Edge.
🚀 Amol Deshpande, Founder and CEO of Frontera, shared that their new digital phenotyping platform will revolutionize autism therapy with AI-driven, data-driven tools.🚀 Jenny Oh announces that she's leading PepsiCo Labs' new Away From Home Innovation Program, transforming food service through AI, automation, and digital solutions.
🌟 Hue, founded by Janvi Shah, Sylvan Guo, and Nicole Clay, was honored by Business Insider as one of the 43 startups to bet your career on in 2025.
💸 Lenkie, founded by Sanjeev Jeyakumar and Nnaemeka Obodoekwe, announced its £49M Series A funding, propelling the company to further close the £22B funding gap faced by entrepreneurs.
💸 Lu Zhang, Founder and Managing Partner of Fusion Fund secured $190M for Fund IV, pushing total AUM past $500M to support top technical founders.
💸 The CAPE x TAAF Rising Filmmakers Finishing Fund is offering $50,000 grants to two AANHPI filmmakers for post-production of their 2nd to 5th feature films, with submissions due by March 31, 2025.
💸 Sanas, led by Sharath Keshava Narayana, has raised a $65M Series B, backed by Quadrille Capital and existing investors, to enhance its Speech Understanding stack, grow its team, and dominate the 'Human to Human' communications category.
📄 Worapon Antony Rattanawarawong announces his co-authorship of Chapter 2: "Communicating Vaccines and Countering Hesitancy" in Securing Health in Southeast Asia, published by the Asian Development Bank.

Manus vs. OpenAI: The New AI Arms Race Has Begun 🤖

Right after China went on a seismic shift with DeepSeek earlier this year, the country is ramping up the world’s AI landscape with Manus, an advanced AI agent by startup Monica. Considered the world’s first truly general AI agent, Manus can think, plan, and perform tasks independently. And, while Deepseek has caused quite a few controversies in the U.S. government, Manus has further proved the increasing power of China in the AI scene, outpacing OpenAI’s DeepResearch on the GAIA benchmark and can autonomously solve complex real-world tasks like web development, stock analysis and itinerary planning. 

Unlike traditional AI models, Manus operates asynchronously in the cloud, continuing tasks even when users disconnect. A viral demo shows Manus was controlling up to 50 screens at the same time, browsing websites and interacting with various online tools. Yet, bad reviews on this newfound AI surfaced on the Internet, reducing its ability to errors and failures in automation, deep research, and result production. 

This feels like the race to space all over again between the U.S. and Soviet Union.

More Than Just a Sustainable Brand: Discover How Singapore’s Rock Daisy Is Redefining Womenswear 👚

In an industry often criticized for mass production and vague sustainability claims, Rachel Liou, the 36-year-old founder of Rock Daisy, is making waves with her Singapore-based womenswear label. Rock Daisy stands out by prioritizing craftsmanship and a genuine commitment to low-impact fashion.

Born in the U.S. to a Singaporean mother and Taiwanese father, Liou spent nearly a decade in corporate finance before leaping into fashion. Her last role at a U.S. firm, where she managed a portfolio of global fashion and lifestyle brands, exposed her to the staggering scale of overproduction, a revelation that started her sustainable fashion journey.

Rock Daisy’s focus on natural materials and innovative design techniques ensures each garment has a longer lifespan. Since its launch, the brand has quickly gained popularity and is now available online and in a boutique collective in Singapore. 

Read here.

Locals Say: Tariffs Could Significantly Impact Chinatowns That Have No Choice but to Import Cultural Goods 🏮

Prices are increasing. In Chinatown, people fear the loss of cultural traditions more than the prices. Statistics show that 28% of people in Chinatown already live below the poverty line, while many of the products sold there are unique to its community. 90% of the goods in Chinatown are from China, causing many businesses to be uncertain of their future. 

Mei Lum, owner of Lum’s store, which remains the longest-operating establishment in Manhattan’s Chinatown, states, “Our working-class community here in Chinatown is definitely, in these circumstances, always being hit the hardest.”

Chris Tang, a professor at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, worries that Trump’s “American First” policies will affect Asian communities and the diverse cultures across the U.S. He says, “When customers shop at local businesses and small businesses, they’re not just buying a product, they’re investing in the community and supporting families and protecting our traditions… We have to be creative, and I think that Chinatown and the folks here have proven that they can be in times of oppression.”

Read here.

You found global talent. Deel’s here to help you onboard them

Deel’s simplified a whole planet’s worth of information. It’s time you got your hands on our international compliance handbook where you’ll learn about:

• Attracting global talent

• Labor laws to consider when hiring

• Processing international payroll on time

• Staying compliant with employment & tax laws abroad

With 150+ countries right at your fingertips, growing your team with Deel is easier than ever.

Get the guide

For newsletter sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to team@asianhustlenetwork.com

📣 Calling All Local Event Hosts for Asian Heritage Week 2025!

Asian Heritage Week (AHW) is back, and we are more than excited that we are now open for event hosts to register their events!

Asian Heritage Week is an annual celebration where we enable AHN members to host events in cities across the U.S., Australia, and Canada to honor the history, culture, and achievements of the Asian community. Each city will be highlighted during a specific week from April–June.

For more information, please visit our website here.

Be part of Asian Heritage Week and showcase the cultural richness of our communities. Let’s celebrate, uplift, and amplify ANHPI voices together!

Give Your Brand a Full Makeover with AHN Group

Does your brand feel out of sync with who you are today? Whether it’s an outdated logo, a mismatched color palette, or visuals that don’t reflect your growth, your identity might be ready for a full makeover.

At AHN Group, we make branding simple—cohesive, modern, and appealing—so your audience focuses on connecting with you. Ready for a revamp? 

If you want to explore our services more, visit the AHN Group website at ahngroup.co.

Got deals to share with the community?

Fill out this form if you have any deals or perks you would like to share with the community!

COMPANIES DISCOVERED ✅

ZNest Advisors & Investors

ZNest Advisors & Investors are helping senior living professionals stay updated with "AI in Senior Living"—a free weekly newsletter on the latest innovations and trends in AI applications in the industry.

They’ve also published a Resource Guide for AI in Senior Living. Whether you're an operator, investor, or tech enthusiast, this resource can help you understand AI’s growing role in the field.

Stay informed and subscribe here.

Zen Coast

Zen Coast University (ZCU) and Asian Hustle Network (AHN) have partnered to empower Asian entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals. The collaboration aims to provide actionable insights, mentorship, and growth opportunities. 

To join, complete the form on our website.

Hook Logistics

Hook Logistics is a team of operations experts providing simple, steadfast, and fair fulfillment services for entrepreneurs.

Paired

Paired helps businesses find the top overseas talent for as low as $5/hour. Our intensive search and outreach processes help us find amazing rockstars in places like Indonesia, LATAM, and South Africa within two to three weeks!

Starcycle

Starcycle is the "TurboTax for windup" — we help companies shut down faster by streamlining compiling, fact-finding, and other pre-filing admin for founders.

Limited Edition Collectibles

We created a first-of-a-kind LED-wrapped vending machine that sells highly desirable collectible mystery box products to customers of all ages and demographics. 

To order our mystery box machines, fill out this form!

🎶 Ever had a great idea but dismissed it too quickly, thinking it wouldn’t work? Try the Spectrum Policy! Instead of seeing ideas as black and white, view them as a spectrum. This mindset allows for flexibility and innovation and leads to better ideas!

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