DALLAS, May 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Bank (NYSE: CMA) has launched its latest and most innovative partnership to date with two of the largest startup leaders in North Texas. The new partnership teams Comerica Bank with the Dallas Entrepreneur Center ("The DEC") and Tech Wildcatters ("TW"), one of the nations' leading accelerators, in a joint effort to offer more smart small business solutions to the thriving North Texas entrepreneurial community.
"As a leader in banking for small businesses and entrepreneurs, Comerica knows that by partnering with The DEC and TW, the top-five accelerator in the nation (according to Inc. Magazine, 2015), they will be able to more easily and efficiently offer their services to the burgeoning entrepreneurial communities forming throughout the North Texas area," said Trey Bowles, CEO and co-Founder of The DEC. "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Comerica Bank again this year, and by adding Tech Wildcatters, we're able to help even more established and worldwide startups take their development to the next level, right here in North Texas."
Through this first-of-a-kind partnership, Comerica will be ideally positioned to promote its banking services to the North Texas entrepreneurial community as startups grow their businesses, staffs and presence in the region. The partnership will include offering in-person services to members of The DEC and startups that have received investment from Tech Wildcatters, branding opportunities, and more, culminating in an unprecedented pitch competition, in which the winner will receive entry into the highly coveted Tech Wildcatters accelerator (which includes investment of up to $130,000) and free office space for six months at The DEC.
"Comerica is pleased to partner with The DEC and Tech Wildcatters, joining them in their nationally-recognized efforts to serve entrepreneurs and identify North Texas as a top region for innovation," said James Weber, executive vice president and Chief Marketing Officer for Comerica. "By engaging with these best-of-breed organizations, we will be able to more easily and effectively promote our banking services to the entrepreneurs they serve. The DEC has become the go-to hub for first-time and veteran entrepreneurs alike and a leading co-working space for entrepreneurs. And, Tech Wildcatters is a leading accelerator that pours powerful resources, such as mentoring, investment and unmatched business connections, into tech startups from all over the world."
"We are excited about this first-ever partnership with The DEC and Comerica Bank," said Clarisa Lindenmeyer, Chief Revenue Officer for Tech Wildcatters. "We're constantly seeking to upgrade our game-changing approach to early stage investing, and a key part of that model depends on powerful partners. By combining our seven years of expertise in this space with these two leading organizations, we know we can offer our portfolio of startups the best possible financial and banking solutions in addition to mentorship from their experts within Comerica Bank."
Since their inceptions, The DEC and Tech Wildcatters have been committed to partnering with organizations that prioritize the needs and service of early stage and ambitious entrepreneurs. As a leader in offering small business banking services, Comerica Bank has recognized the growing and burgeoning entrepreneurial community in North Texas that is quickly becoming the hub for entrepreneurs who can realize the collaborative ecosystem and vast resources committed to making North Texas the best place in the country to build a company.
About Comerica
Comerica is the largest U.S. commercial bank headquartered in Texas, 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.
About The Dallas Entrepreneur Center (DEC)
The Dallas Entrepreneur Center (DEC) is 501c3 coworking space dedicated to bringing together the resources, support and opportunities that Dallas-area entrepreneurs need to start, build and grow their businesses. Launched in 2013, The DEC connects entrepreneurs, corporations, investors, educators and other business and community leaders in order to advance the economic interests of the Dallas community. For more information, visit www.thedec.co and follow The DEC on Twitter at @theDECtx.
About Tech Wildcatters
Tech Wildcatters (TW) is the world's leading B2B seed accelerator on the Forbes Top 10 and ranked #5 in the US according to Inc. and TechCrunch. This mentor-driven program focuses on high-growth, technology startups. TW is committed to growing the innovation community by bringing a return on investment and creating the ultimate feeder system for early stage tech investment. In 2016, TW's focus on returns and on customer and market development led to the launch of the Gauntlet. The Gauntlet methodology invests only in the highest performing startups who reach data-driven milestones. In 2016, TW will have funded 122 companies, helped create over 550 jobs and has 4 exits. TW is a year round program with rolling applications. Startups can apply here.
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SOURCE Comerica Bank
