At Clearco, we’re proud to support ecommerce brands and founders who are redefining their industries, and that includes celebrating the innovation and impact of brands founded by Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) entrepreneurs. To celebrate this year’s AAPI heritage month, Clearco launched the 2025 AAPI Ecommerce Excellence Awards to spotlight the inspiring founders of AAPI descent who are shaping the future of ecommerce and drawing from their rich cultural backgrounds. 

The AAPI community represents one of the smaller business owner cohorts, with just over 3 million AAPI-owned businesses in the U.S. as of 2024, and employing approximately 5.2 million people. Despite their size, Asian American small businesses contribute significantly to the economy, generating an estimated $700 billion in annual revenue, according to a McKinsey report.

In the spirit of recognizing the impact Asian American founded brands have on today’s market, Clearco selected this year’s winner based on their commitment to social responsibility, standout brand identity, product innovation, engaging storefront experience, positive customer reviews, and creative social media presence. With so many impressive applicants, we’re excited to announce the finalists of this year’s competition and shine a light on the trailblazing brands that are pushing boundaries and redefining what success looks like. 

Meet the Finalists of Clearco’s AAPI Ecommerce Excellence Awards

Dtocs 

Founded by Pallavi Pande, Dtocs is a women-led brand offering eco-friendly, sustainable single-use tableware. Inspired by Pande’s childhood memories of sharing meals on banana leaves in India, Dtocs uses naturally fallen areca palm leaves to create compostable, durable products, giving consumers a practical way to reduce their environmental footprint without compromising the convenience of single use tableware. 

Drawing from Asian heritage and honouring traditional practices from India, Dtocs is committed to giving back to the community by empowering women artisans, manufacturers, and children’s organizations in India, partnering with a women-led non profit Anmol Sahara, and contributing to local nonprofits in Portland to support the community. Dtocs is more than just an ecommerce provider of sustainable tableware, it’s an organization driven by a mission rooted in healthier choices to serve the planet and the community.

Jelly Wax

This Asian American hair removal brand was developed by Hannah Van Overbeek. Delivering waxing and hair removal products in the personal care products market, Jelly Wax is a specialty formulated waxing kit for people with PCOS and hormonal hair growth. 

Designed with beginner waxers and individuals affected by PCOS, a condition that often leads to rapid hair growth, in mind, Jelly Wax is more than just a product. It serves as a symbol of empowerment, aiming to remove the stigma around body hair and help people feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. As a vegan and cruelty-free formulation, Jelly Wax’s at home waxing kits are gentle and effective ways to make the process of waxing easy and empowering for all.

The Mindful Collective Group

Co-founders Alexandra Wiatr and  Aidan Tropiano founded The Mindful Collective Group, a wellness brand catering to fellow spiritual seekers, to deliver a boutique range of products such as candles, crystals, affirmation cards and more. 

With over 10,000 products sold, The Mindful Collective Group was born with a vision of creating luxurious products that empower and guide women and women identifying people to connect deeper within themselves. This AAPI-founded brand honors its roots by positioning inclusivity as a core pillar, embracing and supporting all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions, and age groups. 

Mochi Gummies

Building bridges across cultures, Issei Mochi Gummies, is a Asian-inspired certified plant based and non GMO verified food and beverage AAPI founded ecommerce brand. With the goal of creating healthier snacks and gummy candy for her children, founder Mika Shino drew from her 

own japanese heritage to develop healthier options using the ancient tradition of mochi-cakes. 

Named after the term for a first-generation Japanese immigrant to the U.S., Issei pays homage to the AAPI community by symbolizing the hope and pride immigrants carry in sharing their culture and heritage with their new home. That spirit lives on through Issei Mochi Gummies, making the brand a standout finalist for this year’s AAPI Ecommerce Excellence Awards.

Never Have I Ever

Never Have I Ever pairs creativity and fashion by delivering temporary accessories to the fashion and retail industry. Their wide assortment of products range from press-on nails and accessories, to temporary tattoos and more. As passionate proponents of global artists, co-founders Jess Wu & Susana Chen founded Never Have I Ever with the goal to empower artist’s creativity.

The company collaborates with rising artists and popular brands to develop unique, wearable art and accessories. Available in over 200 Urban Outfitter stores nationwide, and partnered with over 100 artists and IP partnerships, this AAPI-founded ecommerce brand continues to grow and blend art with self-expression for their customers. 

The AAPI Founders Leading the Way in 2025

The finalists of Clearco’s AAPI Ecommerce Excellence Awards are trailblazing leaders in their industries, building disruptive brands that not only drive innovation but also inspire the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs. These founders and ecommerce brands are creating purpose-built companies that not only have standout products that draw deeply from their heritage for inspiration, but are bridging the gap between cultures and sharing their unique, time-honored experiences through ecommerce. 

We’re proud to honor and celebrate these Asian American brands this AAPI heritage month and remain committed to shining a light on Asian voices and founders. Join us in recognizing their innovation, vision, and growth as they scale alongside Clearco — we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.