Mastercard and Bank of America Launch Third Annual Grow Your Biz Contest
September 16 2019 - 10:34AM
Business Wire
The national pitch competition provides four
finalists with the opportunity to receive industry-expert
consultation and $25,000
Seventy percent of mentored small businesses survive past the
five-year mark—nearly twice the rate of non-mentored businesses
[1]. As part of a shared commitment to empower small businesses,
Mastercard and Bank of America are announcing the third annual Grow
Your Biz Contest, which calls on small business owners to pitch
their business growth plans for the opportunity to win $25k and
business consultation with industry experts [2].
“We’re excited to partner with Mastercard for the third year of
this contest and look forward to working with creative and
passionate business owners from all over the country,” said Sharon
Miller, head of Small Business, Bank of America. “Mentorship is a
vital component of any career—especially entrepreneurship—and we’re
committed to providing small businesses with the resources and
guidance they need to grow their businesses and succeed.”
This year, to enter the Grow Your Biz Contest, small business
owners must share their business strategy by submitting a video (up
to one minute in length) on the Grow Your Biz microsite that
answers the question: “How would $25,000 help grow your
business?”
From the submissions, four finalists will be identified for
their business strategy, video creativity and overall enthusiasm to
receive a $1,000 Mastercard prepaid card and the opportunity to
pitch their businesses to the Grow Your Biz Panel during the final
event in New York City on November 14, 2019.
The panel of expert judges for the Grow Your Biz contest include
the host of CNBC’s Cleveland Hustles, Bonin Bough, founder and CEO
of Create & Cultivate, Jaclyn Johnson, Mastercard Head of Small
business, Ginger Siegel and Bank of America Head of Small Business
Credit, Kelly Firment. The judges will provide individual
consultation sessions and select one grand-prize winner, who will
receive $25,000 to pursue their business plan.
“Over the past two years supporting the Grow Your Biz program,
we have been able to connect with small business owners and
understand their unique challenges,” said Ginger Siegel, Head of
North America Small Business, Mastercard. “By collaborating with
Bank of America, we are providing small businesses not only with
holistic solutions and funds, but with industry perspective and
mentorship that helps them grow in new ways.”
The Grow Your Biz Contest, which began as a Boston focused
initiative in 2017, expanded nationally last year and received
applications from small business owners across the U.S. From
Femly’s monthly natural feminine subscription box, to Kin’s
flavorful ramen, Draft Texas’ specialized draft beverage trailer
and Cheeky Monkey’s joyful home accessories, each finalist
showcased their unique business and passion.
[1] Best Ways To Find a Small Business Mentor, Forbes 2019
About the Grow Your Biz Contest
[2] NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where
prohibited. Open only to small business owners who are legal U.S.
residents, and 18 and older. Ends 10/6/19. For Official Rules and
complete details, click here.
About Mastercard
Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology
company in the global payments industry. Our global payments
processing network connects consumers, financial institutions,
merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries
and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday
commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a
business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more
efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MastercardNews, join
the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for
the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.
About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial
institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market
businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking,
investing, asset management and other financial and risk management
products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience
in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and
small business clients with approximately 4,400 retail financial
centers, including more than 1,700 lending centers, more than 1,900
Merrill Edge investment centers and more than 1,300 business
centers; approximately 16,100 ATMs; and award-winning digital
banking with approximately 36 million active users, including 25
million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth
management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a
broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments,
institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America
offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small
business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online
products and services. The company serves clients through
operations across the United States, its territories and more than
35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is
listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements
and other important information, visit the Bank of America
newsroom. Click here to register for news email alerts.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190916005575/en/
Mastercard Communications Sarah Ely 914.249.6714
Sarah.ely@mastercard.com
Bank of America Communications Don Vecchiarello
980.387.4899 Don.vecchiarello@bankofamerica.com
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