We Run Mondays 🏁

Hi, how was your weekend?

Let’s start this week with a universally relatable fact: 80% of people consider Monday as the most “traumatic” workday, according to Zety.  

We all know this shared point; we too are victims of the so-called Monday. However, just like how Jessica Tisch warned the rats in New York—Mondays don’t run this city, we do. 

In this week’s Monday newsletter, be ready to kickstart a week with inspiring stories, community highlights, and the latest updates.

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 🎉

🚀 Divyesh Balamurali, Aaresh Lungani, and Teja Bollimunta launch SAAP (South Asian Aviation Professionals), a community connecting and empowering South Asian professionals across the aviation industry.
🚀 Lilly Singh has co-founded HYPHEN8, the first media network dedicated to South Asian YouTube creators. 
🚀 Hope King launches Macro Talk, a business news platform focused on jobs, industries, and original reporting.
💸 Titan Capital’s ‘We Are Funding’ program is offering early-stage founders fast-track funding, strategic support, and investor access, with applications open until March 26.
💸 Evaluable AI, co-founded by Anant Bhargava and Prashant Garg, has been acquired by Google, marking a major milestone for the team and investors.
💸 Dheeraj Dhingra, Salil Srivastava, and Sachin Santhosh, founders of Scimplify, have raised $40 million in Series B to expand globally and enhance their specialty chemicals platform, ATOMS.
💸 Farah Jesani announces the acquisition of One Stripe Chai by Dabble Holdings 
🎙️ Eric Wei, Co-Founder and co-CEO at Karat Financial, will speak at SXSW on the future of creator businesses, covering investment, scaling, M&A, and funding strategies.🎬 Jay Kuo, Scott Evan Davis, and Lorenzo Thione bring INDIGO, a musical years in the making, to its UK premiere at Leicester’s Curve Theatre in the summer of 2025.
📄 Grant Lee, co-founder of Gamma, celebrates the startup's feature in The New York Times, highlighting how AI-driven efficiency has enabled a 28-person team to achieve profitability.

AI BFFs: How Chatbots Are Replacing Therapy for Singaporean Gen Z 🤖

No more Tinder, awkward social hangouts, or costly therapy sessions. AI chatbots are now the new bestie of Singaporean Gen Z, as one-third of this demographic reported having mental health issues. Many chose chatbots like Wysa or ChatGPT for emotional support, structured advice, and great alternatives to expensive therapy. 

Despite experts’ warnings that AI lacks the required depth for human psychoanalysis, many favor AI’s accessibility and non-judgmental responses. However, the concern over increasing dependency and misleading guidance from AI remains a heated debate.

Despite the limitations, AI chatbots are changing how youths deal with stress and mental vulnerability in an era of rising mental health challenges.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Criticizes Assassin’s Creed for Disrespecting Cultural Heritage ⛩

While Assassin’s Creed is known for its historical and cultural detail, the latest installment, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, sparked controversy in Japan. A promotional video showed players destroying the interior of Itatehyozu Shrine, a real shrine in Himeji. 

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba condemned the game for cultural disrespect, citing the unauthorized use of the shrine’s name and violent depictions. Ubisoft apologized and plans to release a patch to make shrine interiors indestructible and reduce violence. The issue is a case study for businesses on cultural appropriation and respect.

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

To mark Asian Heritage Week’s second year, we are excited to announce our return to the US across three cities: New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Asian Heritage Week (AHW) is an annual celebration that amplifies your events through our network, embracing and honoring the cultural heritage of Asian communities. 

To unfold the beauty and creativity of the AAPI community, we would love for event hosts to join us on this journey through three beautiful cities: 

• New York City | April 28 - May 4

• Los Angeles | May 5 - May 11

• San Francisco | May 12 - May 18

Help Dokkaebier Win the #SmallBizChallenge!

Founded in 2020 in San Francisco, Dokkaebier is redefining craft beer by bringing Asian flavors and culture to the industry. With unique brews like Kimchi Sour, Yuza Blonde, and Calamansi Tea Lager, they blend tradition with innovation to create something entirely new.

Now, as a semi-finalist in The UPS Store #SmallBizChallenge, they have a chance to win funding, expert mentorship, and a feature in Inc. magazine. Your support can help them get there!

Vote once per day until April 4 to help them reach the next round!

Spread the word! Share with friends and family. Every vote counts.

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!

🕳️ Do you ever feel like you are just running around in circles? The traveling salesman is an interesting dilemma to look at. While there is no definite solution to the shortest route, adding more steps before reaching your final destination only makes your routes longer. Next time, formulate a simple and definite process to make your goals and visions more attainable.

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Selling More With AHN Group

According to HubSpot research, while 82% of salespeople believe they add value during their sales conversations, only 32% of customers agree. This gap exists because some individuals, despite not being traditionally skilled at selling, excel in building genuine connections.

Although an ideal pitch may not guarantee victory every time, it lays the foundation for a consistent strategy to maximize your chances of success. At AHN, our content marketing and strategic approach are designed to help you win over your customers and sustain their engagement for the long term.

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