May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month—an opportunity to celebrate the communities who have helped build Illinois into the dynamic, globally connected economy it is today.
From manufacturing shop floors to beloved Chinatown storefronts, from aerospace labs to family-run food distributors, AANHPI entrepreneurs, scientists, and civic leaders are driving economic growth across the state.
By the Numbers: Illinois’ AANHPI Business Community
Illinois is home to 921.7K AANHPI residents—7.2% of our total population (U.S. Census, 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates), with a presence that translates into real economic momentum. According to the U.S. Census, Illinois is home to:
- 132.8K AANHPI-owned firms—representing 9.8% of all firms, employer and nonemployer (out of 1.4M), statewide
- 25.5K+ AANHPI-owned employer firms—10.7% of all employer firms in Illinois
- 182.6K+ individuals employed by AANHPI-owned employer firms
- $8.42B in annual payroll generated by AANHPI-owned employer firms (U.S. Census, 2023 Nonemployer Statistics)
It’s also worth noting that this data reflects just part of the picture. As our Research Team explored in last month’s Data Detective: Counting Arab Americans in Illinois, federal demographic categories don’t always capture the full complexity of community identity—a reminder that behind every data point are real people, businesses, and stories shaping our state.
These numbers reinforce what we see every day at Illinois EDC: AANHPI business leaders are helping to shape Illinois’ prosperous, growing economy.
Notable AANHPI-Led Businesses Choosing Illinois
Illinois continues to attract and grow AANHPI-led companies across industries—spanning food manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, fiber optics, and more:
- Amsino International: Founded in 1993 by Chinese American entrepreneur Richard Y. Lee, Amsino International has grown into a global medical device company with integrated R&D, manufacturing, and distribution operations. The company recently expanded its U.S. footprint with a new 222K-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility in Aurora, representing a $32 million investment and creating 110 permanent jobs. The project was supported by an EDGE tax credit.
- Bold Insight: Bold Insight evolved from User Centric, Inc. (est. 1999), co-founded by Gavin Lew. In 2018, the company was formed as an employee-owned firm focused on advancing UX research for the digital age. The company works across sectors including medical devices, digital health, automotive systems, and emerging technologies, and recently established its headquarters in Downers Grove with support from an EDGE agreement.
- MicroLink Devices, Inc. was founded by Dr. Noren Pan in 2000, achieving profitability within its first 5 years through the buildout of advanced manufacturing capabilities for high-efficiency solar cells for aerospace and terrestrial applications. MicroLink recently expanded its facility in Niles with a $9.5M investment, receiving a REV agreement.
- viaPhoton, founded by Pakistani American entrepreneur Baber Abbas, is an Illinois-based advanced manufacturing company producing high-performance fiber optic interconnect solutions for data centers, AI infrastructure, and telecommunications. The company recently expanded its Aurora headquarters, more than doubling the size of its previous facility.
- BC Foods, founded by Chinese American entrepreneur Brian Chiu, is an Illinois-based manufacturer of dehydrated vegetables, spices, and seasonings used across global food supply chains. BC Foods recently expanded into a new warehouse in Bolingbrook.
- El Rey Seafood Inc., a Chinese American family-owned business rooted in Chicago’s Chinatown, supplies seafood to restaurants, grocers, and wholesalers across the Midwest—anchoring an essential part of the region’s Asian food distribution network.
- Sun Metalon, co-founded by Kazuhiko (Kazu) Nishioka and Kei Takizawa, is an advanced manufacturing startup specializing in innovative metal production technologies, including low-waste and energy-efficient processes. Sun Metalon relocated its headquarters from Cambridge, Massachusetts to Wood Dale, Illinois, receiving a REV agreement and employing more than 50 new workers at the new facility. We recently spoke with Kazu about their choice to plant roots in Illinois. Check it out!
Beyond these featured companies, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois’ business directory lists 952 Asian American businesses (as of April 2026)—a living snapshot of the community’s breadth and vitality.
AANHPI Legacies to Note
Impactful AANHPI leaders across industries have called Illinois home:
- Senator Tammy Duckworth, the first Thai American U.S. congresswoman, and a Purple Heart recipient who represented Illinois’ 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House from 2013 to 2017 and now serves in the U.S. Senate.
- Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1910–1995), Nobel Prize–winning physicist and longtime University of Chicago professor whose work on stellar evolution—the “Chandrasekhar limit”—remains foundational in astrophysics.
- Rohini Dey, founder of Vermilion and a nationally recognized entrepreneur who advocates for women- and minority-owned businesses and has advised on federal small business policy.
- Fazlur Rahman Khan (1929-1982), the “father of tubular designs” who revolutionized skyscraper engineering and designed the Sears (Willis) Tower—the tallest building in the world from 1973 to 1998—as well as the John Hancock Center.
- Chloe Bennet, Chicago-born actress whose character Quake in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is widely considered the first Asian superhero in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), and who has been an outspoken advocate for Asian American representation in media.
- Ameya Pawar, the first Asian American elected to the Chicago City Council and a longtime advocate for economic equity, small business support, and immigrant inclusion in city policy.
- Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a former small business owner and policy advisor representing Illinois’ 8th Congressional District.
- Tony Hu, known as “the Mayor of Chinatown” for his role in building Chicago’s Chinatown into a major regional dining and tourism hub and driving local economic development.
Across physics, public service, architecture, culinary innovation, entertainment, and civic duty, these legacies have further elevated AANHPI leadership in Illinois.
Organizations Bolstering the Ecosystem
Illinois’ economic strength is amplified by organizations dedicated to advancing AANHPI business and leadership:
- Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois supports AANHPI-owned businesses through networking, procurement access, and advocacy, serving as a key connector between Asian American entrepreneurs and corporate and government opportunities.
- National Association of Asian American Professionals – Chicago provides leadership development, corporate networking, and career advancement opportunities, helping build a strong AANHPI talent pipeline across industries.
- Illinois Asian American Legislative Caucus Foundation advances economic inclusion, policy development, and leadership pipelines, supporting long-term representation of AANHPI communities in business, government, and nonprofit sectors.
- Chinatown Chamber of Commerce promotes small business growth, tourism, and commercial development in Chicago’s Chinatown—one of the region’s most concentrated AANHPI business ecosystems.
- South Asian American Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Illinois supports South Asian American–owned businesses through networking, procurement access, and business development programming, strengthening connections between entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and public-sector opportunities across Illinois.
Together, these organizations drive mentorship, capital access, and advocacy—reinforcing Illinois as a state where AANHPI entrepreneurs and leaders are supported and can succeed.
Grow With Us
For AANHPI companies considering expansion or relocation, Illinois offers:
- A diverse, globally connected workforce
- Proven public-private support programs like EDGE and REV
- Access to capital, certification pathways, and chamber networks
- A culture of leadership that values representation
Interested in learning more about Illinois for your company? Get in touch with our team today.
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