Frequently Asked Questions

Ticket prices will be as follows:

• Earlybird tickets:
• • Members of CalAsian Chamber and/or National ACE: $20
  • Students: $20
  • Regular Admission and Non-Members: $25
• Regular tickets:
  • Members of CalAsian Chamber and/or National ACE: $25
  • Students: $25
  • Regular Admission and Non-Members: $35

Applications will be accepted starting May 15, 2025, until June 9, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. PST or until 200 eligible applications are received. Applications are not judged on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click the application button on our homepage to be taken to the Google Form (where the application will be). You will need to a Google account to apply.

The application may take you between 10-20 minutes to complete.

No other information outside of your business’s information will be requested on the application. Applicants moving on to the next phase of selection will need to provide headshots, photos of your business/logo/storefront, and a one-minute video pitch.

Signing up for a Google allows you to access the Google Form to apply for the Trailblazers: Women Innovators pitch competition. We will not be accepting applications via email or anywhere else.

Please email info@nationalace.org for assistance with the application and use the subject header: “Google Form Question – Trailblazers Pitch Competition.”

Business applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Is independently owned and operated; not a franchise location
• Is a for-profit organization that is registered to conduct business in the United States
• Is a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. (Void in Puerto Rico, Guam, and where prohibited by law)
• Has been operating for one or more years
• Has reached the minimum age of 18 years old or older
• Must be able to travel to Long Beach, CA for the pitch event

(Exceptions for travel will be made on a case-by-case basis.)

The applications are open to those eligible as listed above. Our panel of judges will be looking for individuals with innovative solutions that have the potential to impact their communities and display social responsibility positively.

Selected applicants will be notified starting in July.

The top five (5) finalists will move on to the live pitch competition in Irvine, CA on August 1, 2025.

Our panel of judges will rank the winners to determine which prize bundles, including cash and other prizes, they will receive.

You will be notified at the contact information you provided on your application that you have been selected and will be asked to provide a headshot, photo of your business/products, and a one-minute video.  Selected applicants will then be scheduled for a complimentary one-hour session with a speaking coach to help guide you through your live pitch. The top five (5) finalists will be asked to join us in Irvine, CA to present their live pitch live on stage in front of our panel of judges.

Round-trip vouchers from Southwest Airlines will be provided to finalists. Finalists are then responsible for their own transportation, meals, lodging, etc.

Finalists must be able to travel for the live pitch competition on August 1.

Of course! All applicants within the United States (with the exception of Puerto Rico, Guam, and where prohibited by law) are welcome to apply.

The annual Trailblazers: Women Innovators Pitch Competition event was created for women in business, entrepreneurship, leadership, and more to celebrate their achievements. People from all walks of life are welcome to attend the event and honor women in business. VIPs and elected officials may also be invited to the event.  Media will also be invited.

Ticket holders will be welcomed to a networking and cocktail hour with drinks and appetizers for the first hour of the event. Following the cocktail hour, guests will hear inspiring remarks from innovative and entrepreneurial women of color.  Finally, the top five (5) finalists will be able to  present their live pitches live to a panel of prestigious judges.  Winners will be announced at the event.

The health & safety of our community is of the utmost importance to us. We are closely monitoring local safety guidelines and will make appropriate changes as necessary. All updates will be communicated to our ticket holders.

Thank you for your interest! Please contact Princess “Cess” Ong a [email protected].