HOUSTON, Feb. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Houston Rockets
and BBVA USA have announced the
launch of their annual Launchpad contest for Houston entrepreneurs.
This is the second iteration of the Launchpad contest, with the
first one launching in February 2019.
The contest seeks Houston-area
startup businesses that need a financial boost to become digitally
innovative, and awards the top submission with a grand prize of
$10,000 and consultations with
Rockets and BBVA USA executives.
This is also the first entrepreneurial contest operated under
BBVA's new Houston CEO, Dillan
Knudson.
"It's extremely exciting to collaborate with the Rockets for the
first time, and for such a great initiative that helps Houston's thriving small business scene," said
Knudson. "Part of my new role is to create opportunities and
financial freedom for Houston's
communities through the bank's ample resources, and to do that in
collaboration with a staple organization of this city is an
honor."
Companies are encouraged to submit their nominations online
explaining why their business should be selected. After the
submission period ends on February 28, a judging period will
commence between Rockets and BBVA USA representatives.
After four finalists are announced, fans will have a chance to
vote on the winner in late March. The winner will be notified at
the end of March, and will be presented with a check during a
Rockets game in April at Toyota Center.
Companies are encouraged to submit their nominations online at
www.rockets.com/launchpad, which will request the name of the
company's executive, company name, and a link to a social media
post on the business's Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn account
that likes and tags BBVA and the Houston Rockets explaining:
- What their business does and a challenge they overcame or
continue to struggle within their business.
- How the company would utilize the $10,000 to enhance their digital
capabilities.
"Over the past three years, we have been proud to partner with
BBVA to highlight small businesses in Houston and their contribution to our
economy," said Rockets Chief Revenue Officer Gretchen Sheirr. "Entering its fourth year, the
Launchpad contest seeks nominees focused on using best in class
digital strategies to enhance their small business. We look forward
to reviewing submissions and honoring the great work that is being
done by these businesses in our community.
In 2019, the Launchpad contest crowned Houston startup Hamper as its first ever
winner. Established in 2015, Hamper sought to solve the effects of
Houston's traffic on everyday
errands. Focusing on dry cleaning availability, the company created
an app that allows customers to place an order and request a
pick-up in only a few steps. The Hamper team then picks up from a
home or office and delivers the clothes back at the day and time
requested on the initial order.
"It was an absolute pleasure to be recognized by BBVA and the
Houston Rockets as the winner of the 2019 Launchpad Contest," said
Hamper Co-founder and CEO Safir Ali.
"It was a very exciting moment for Hamper, and we are very grateful
to have the opportunity to be recognized in our community. Many
thanks to both BBVA and the Houston Rockets for empowering
Houston businesses and giving them
such a great platform to be recognized for their efforts, and for
playing an active role in empowering entrepreneurship in
Houston!"
For more BBVA news visit, www.bbva.com and the U.S.
Newsroom.
Additional news updates can be found via Twitter and
Instagram.
For more financial information about BBVA in the U.S., visit
bbvausa.investorroom.com.
About BBVA
BBVA Group
BBVA (NYSE: BBVA) is a customer-centric global financial services
group founded in 1857. The Group has a strong leadership position
in the Spanish market, is the largest financial institution in
Mexico, it has leading franchises
in South America and the Sunbelt
Region of the United States. It is
also the leading shareholder in Turkey's Garanti BBVA. Its purpose is to bring
the age of opportunities to everyone, based on our customers' real
needs: provide the best solutions, helping them make the best
financial decisions, through an easy and convenient experience. The
institution rests in solid values: Customer comes first, we think
big and we are one team. Its responsible banking model aspires to
achieve a more inclusive and sustainable society.
BBVA USA
In the U.S., BBVA is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that
operates 641 branches, including 330 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 63 in Arizona, 61 in California, 44 in Florida, 37 in Colorado and 17 in New Mexico. The bank ranks among the top 25
largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and
ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (6th). In the U.S., BBVA has been
recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the
Small Business Administration (SBA) and ranked 8th nationally in
terms of dollar volume of SBA loans originated in fiscal year
2018.
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SOURCE BBVA USA