DALLAS, July 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dallas
Entrepreneur Center ("The DEC") and Comerica Bank announced today
the launch of the second annual North
Texas business pitch contest. This year's contest is focused
exclusively on women and minority-owned business entrants. Comerica
Bank will again be the presenting sponsor, providing the full prize
amount of $50,000 for the winning
business pitch as well as in-kind support to further The DEC's
efforts to help entrepreneurs in North
Texas.
The DEC begins accepting applications for the contest today,
July 15, 2015. Interested
entrepreneurs should visit http://comerica.thedec.co/ for more
information.
The announcement of the 2015 business pitch contest is made in
celebration of the two-year anniversary of The DEC, a 501c3
non-profit organization, established in 2013 to provide a business
support structure for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial hopefuls.
Since its inception, The DEC has served entrepreneurs across
North Texas by providing them
education, training, programming, events, collaborative space,
access to capital and promotion. With two locations serving
North Texas, The DEC provides an
entrepreneurial center in the West End of downtown Dallas as well as in Addison, called The Addison TreeHouse, through
a partnership with the Town of
Addison.
"We are thrilled to partner with The DEC on a second business
pitch contest," said Melinda
Chausse, Comerica Bank's Executive Director of Business
Banking. "Our contest this year shines a bright light on the
opportunities and challenges faced by women and minority
entrepreneurs, while celebrating diversity in entrepreneurship. We
are proud to support the women and minority entrepreneurs who are
changing the face of entrepreneurship in America."
"We are really excited to partner with Comerica Bank again this
year for The DEC's North Texas
business pitch competition," said Trey
Bowles, co-founder and CEO of The DEC. "We have seen a great
impact in the community as a result of their efforts and
contribution last year. I think this new focus around women and
minority-run businesses in 2015 will offer a unique perspective
that will provide invaluable support and a game-changing
opportunity for a well-deserving business in the North Texas community."
The Dallas Entrepreneur Center's "North Texas Business Pitch
Contest, Presented by Comerica Bank" will feature online
applications, celebrity judges, and a final "Top 4" pitch contest
later this year.
The winner of last year's inaugural business pitch contest was
Rollout, Inc., a Dallas-based
technology startup whose patent-pending, cloud-based digital
drawing management product aims to eliminate the need for
architecture, engineering and construction firms to print paper
blueprints. In addition to the $50,000 prize, Rollout, Inc. also received
in-kind support including six months of free co-working
arrangements at The DEC, travel assistance, and technology and
cloud computing services.
About The DEC
The DEC is a 501c3 non-profit
organization that serves entrepreneurs in North Texas, providing them with training,
education, mentorship, promotion and access to capital in order to
encourage and equip the entrepreneurial community to start, build
and grow their businesses. Facilitating a culture of
entrepreneurship and 'giving before you get,' the DEC connects new
and old entrepreneurs with a vibrant, collaborative environment.
With more than 32,000 people that have gone through its space, with
greater than 350 events and more than 175 member companies,
The DEC has been able to provide valuable resources and support to
a burgeoning startup community. There have been over 1800 office
hours from more than 170 mentors and 15+ investment groups offering
advice, counsel and funding to startups. Of note: The DEC has
created a program called "White Board Sessions" where startups
across DFW can come and learn from experienced entrepreneurs and
investment professionals.
About Comerica
Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA),
a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by
three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and
Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping
people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in
Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in
several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. To find Comerica on
Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares. Follow
Comerica on Twitter at @ComericaCares.
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