Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the vibrant and enduring contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) to every facet of American life—culture, technology, science, the arts and, notably, entrepreneurship. At Arizona State University, this celebration goes beyond recognition. It’s embedded into the ecosystem of innovation.
One powerful example of that commitment is Lab to Launch, an initiative of ASU’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute. The program brings together faculty-led startups and a select group of invited student ventures in a fast-paced, resource-rich environment that helps founders turn ideas into impact. Lab to Launch is designed not only to accelerate venture development but also to foster a culture of inclusive innovation that reflects the university’s values and the diversity of the communities it serves.
This is especially meaningful as the Asian American community emerges as one of the fastest-growing and most economically dynamic demographic groups in the United States. With a collective purchasing power estimated at over $1.3 trillion and growing, Asian Americans are reshaping markets through both consumer behavior and entrepreneurial activity. Ventures that authentically engage with this audience—understanding its diversity, nuance, and unmet needs—are uniquely positioned to thrive.
Lab to Launch is where those ventures take root.
Yen Lin Lao and the Power of Visibility
For Yen Lin Lao, a faculty researcher originally from Taiwan who is now working on vector database reduction at Morphos.AI, participating in Lab to Launch during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month offered both professional opportunity and personal recognition.
“Participating in Lab to Launch during Asian Heritage Month made me feel recognized and empowered,” Yen Lin said. “The event showcased ASU’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, creating a space where voices from all backgrounds can contribute to meaningful innovation.”
Yen Lin’s experience is a testament to the power of visibility. Recognition isn’t a reward—it’s a signal that your voice belongs in the conversation. When entrepreneurial ecosystems make space for that belonging, ideas flourish, and so do the people behind them.
Kelvin Tran: Bold Dreams and Perseverance
Another powerful story comes from the student side of the Lab to Launch cohort. Kelvin Tran, a second-generation Vietnamese American and the founder of Solisa AI, is reimagining the future of insurance through artificial intelligence. His venture automates sales, compliance and workflows for insurance agents and firms—a historically underserved sector in tech innovation.
Kelvin’s personal journey and his venture’s evolution are deeply intertwined:
“Growing up as a second-generation Vietnamese American, I witnessed firsthand the grit and determination it took for my parents to rebuild their lives in the United States. They arrived with virtually nothing—my father literally had to jump off of a North Vietnamese prison boat after the war onto another nearby ship to escape to the US. Then, arriving in the US months later with just $70 in his pocket. Like many immigrant parents, they dreamed I would become a doctor or an engineer, believing those were the pinnacles of success. Never did they imagine I’d have an opportunity to found a tech company revolutionizing an entire sector. Yet here I am today, the Founder and CEO of Solisa AI, an insurtech startup devoted to creating AI solutions that transform insurance sales and compliance for both agents and customers.
ASU’s Lab to Launch program gave me the affirmation, funding, and network to help turn my vision for Solisa AI into a tangible reality. The program reinforced that innovation isn’t reserved for just those with privileged backgrounds but those with the fire and determination to make their dreams a reality and make the world a better place. ASU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is truly unique: it not only equips you with resources but also fosters a culture of mutual support, much like the spirit that originally made Silicon Valley so influential. A special shout-out goes to Justin Mitchell, Erika Griffen, and Mike Collins for their mentorship, introductions, and unwavering belief in my mission.
As we celebrate Asian History Month, I’m proud to showcase how ASU’s inclusive environment empowers students like me, someone whose parents started with nothing, to break boundaries and reimagine entire industries. I encourage fellow students and aspiring founders to share your ideas through Lab to Launch and tap into ASU’s powerful community.
My journey as an ASU student founder reflects the idea that no dream is too bold if you have the passion and perseverance to see it through. I’m grateful to ASU for opening its doors to students of every background, pushing us to build solutions that shape the future. It’s an honor to pay it forward and continue growing alongside this remarkable community.”
Kelvin’s venture is not only solving a market inefficiency—it’s also carrying forward a legacy of resilience. His story, like Yen Lin’s, reflects the deeper mission of Lab to Launch: to create an ecosystem where personal history, cultural identity and technological innovation intersect to fuel real-world impact. Similarly, Solisa AI empowers insurance agents, firms and agencies to modernize their processes with ease, enhancing efficiency and driving meaningful change. Plus, with a special promotion available, it’s the perfect time to take the next step toward a smarter, more streamlined future.
Where Faculty Founders of All Backgrounds Shape the Future
What distinguishes Lab to Launch is its blend of vision and structure. Over a focused four- to six-week sprint, founders receive guidance on business model validation, customer discovery, product strategy and fundraising—alongside personalized mentorship and visibility to investors and partners. It’s not just a launchpad. It’s a learning laboratory where faculty and students cross-pollinate ideas, expertise and inspiration.
Faculty founders benefit from fresh perspectives, entrepreneurial support and opportunities to connect their research with practical applications. Student founders gain access to high-level mentors and real-world startup dynamics that push their thinking far beyond the classroom. And for everyone involved, Lab to Launch cultivates a sense of shared momentum and building something bigger together.
A Range of Voices Driving Real-world Advancements at ASU
As we reflect on Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Lab to Launch of the Innovation2Market program models how universities can play a catalytic role in inclusive economic development. By intentionally supporting AAPI entrepreneurs—and all underrepresented founders—ASU is helping to write a new narrative for innovation in America. One that is less about disruption for its own sake and more about who it brings into the process of solving problems that genuinely impact the communities it serves.
Innovation flourishes when a range of voices, experiences, and perspectives come together. A place where anyone can spark and grow an idea—including AAPI founders—helps reach and uplift every culture. True impact comes from proximity. Entrepreneurs understand communities from within and shape solutions that reflect lived experiences. This fuels progress across industries—fintech, health tech, edtech, media and beyond—ensuring that ideas don’t just serve a singular market but drive research and discovery that strengthen the very fabric of society.
In that sense, Lab to Launch is more than a venture program. It’s a signal—to AAPI founders, to faculty innovators and to the world—that ASU is a place where innovation is open to all, and where the future is co-authored by the broadest possible spectrum of thinkers and builders.
To our Edson E+I community—students, faculty, mentors, and alumni—this month is a reminder of the power of representation and the importance of shared investment. Whether you’re launching your first venture or supporting someone else’s, you are part of a legacy of innovation that reflects the full diversity of our society.
Let’s keep uplifting one another and celebrating the extraordinary talent and diverse perspectives already here and ready to lead. Connect with others and find the support you need to grow at one of our Edson E+I events.