News and Events
March 21, 2012
March 21, 2012
Announcing: The NYSE Big StartUp a Nationwide Jobs Growth Initiative
The NYSE Big StartUpSM,
a Nationwide Jobs Growth Initiative, Connects Startups and Entrepreneurs with Corporate
America to Accelerate New Business, Funding and Success
- Collaborative business-to-business partnership rings
today’s NYSE Closing Bell -
New York, March 21, 2012 – The
NYSE Big StartUpSM, a nationwide jobs-growth initiative designed to
connect young companies and entrepreneurs with corporate America, was launched
today by NYSE Euronext (NYX) in collaboration with Accion, Entrepreneurs’
Organization (EO) and The Startup America Partnership. The program calls on the nation’s
corporate community to lend support, experience and resources to startups and
small companies to improve procurment, networking, business development, training,
marketing and information sharing. Yelp (NYSE: YELP), LinkedIn (NYSE: LNKD) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) are among
the first corporations to participate in this endeavor. In addition to
information and events to be provided as part of the initiative, a microfinance
program called the Accion NYSE Job Growth Fund, started with a $1.5 million
commitment by NYSE Euronext, will provide small businesses and startups with
the capital and support they need to grow.
The NYSE Big StartUp is unique in its comprehensive approach
to promoting job growth through small businesses, startups and
entrepreneurs. The program helps
to promote the increased demand for goods and services that these growing
companies need, while also mobilizing the corporate sector to contribute
knowledge, expertise and funding where it can be critical to job creation.
“America is looking for ways to
create jobs and we believe part of the answer lies in nurturing the small
business community,” said Duncan L. Niederauer, Chief Executive Officer, NYSE
Euronext. “Business leaders cannot wait for Washington to have all the answers,
so our idea, The NYSE Big StartUp, is aimed at encouraging bigger companies to
help small companies. NYSE Euronext is uniquely positioned at the center
of capital markets to bring our community and partners together to fuel job
growth. We are calling on established companies to direct their
purchasing power to small companies. In addition, we are launching new
training, mentoring and education programs for entrepreneurs, as well as the
Accion NYSE Job Growth Fund to help ensure that capital is available to those
least able to access it from traditional sources.”
Accion NYSE Job Growth Fund
Accion is the largest microfinance
lending network in the U.S. and has provided loans and support to hundreds of
thousands of enterprising individuals in the U.S. The Accion NYSE Job Growth Fund officially launches today
through a $1.5 million commitment from NYSE Euronext, and is now open for
corporate contributors and small business applicants. The funding will be
leveraged at a 4.5:1 ratio, enabling an even greater impact. Information on the
Accion NYSE Job Growth Fund can be accessed and donations can be made at http://us.accion.org/.
“Small businesses are critical
to job growth and to our economy’s recovery,” said Gina Harman, President and
CEO of Accion, The U.S. Network.
“At Accion, we have been working alongside determined, hard-working business
owners for over 20 years, creating innovative ways to remove key obstacles to
their success and ensure they have the access to capital and the business
support programs they need. We applaud
NYSE Euronext for initiating The NYSE Big StartUp and urge corporations to
contribute to the fund so that we can provide access to opportunity for the
millions of small businesses in the U.S. capable of generating new jobs.”
Entrepreneurs' Organization
The Entrepreneurs' Organization
(EO), a global network of more than 8,000 business owners in 40 countries,
serves as a catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from their
peers’ ideas and experiences. EO’s
role in the NYSE Big StartUp will include special focus on its Accelerator
program, which through events and other outreach efforts fuels growth of
earlier-stage entrepreneurs, provides mentors and training for EO’s broader
pool of entrepreneurs, and connects the EO network with the corporate supply
chains.
“Entrepreneurs generate innovation, create jobs and drive
economic prosperity,” said Bob Strade, Executive Director, EO. “Both NYSE
Euronext and the Entrepreneurs’ Organization recognize the critical role that
business owners play in society, which is why this partnership is such a
natural fit. By focusing on combining the resources of both NYSE-listed
companies and entrepreneurial firms to create jobs, we will work together
towards a more robust economy.”
The Startup America Partnership
The Startup America Partnership, of
which NYSE Euronext is a proud sponsor, brings together an alliance of major
corporations including NYSE Euronext, funders, service providers, mentors and
advisors working to dramatically increase the prevalence and success of
high-growth startups in the U.S. The Startup America Partnership was launched
at the White House in early 2011. AOL
co-founder Steve Case chairs the Partnership, Priceline.com founding CTO Scott
Case is the chief executive and the Kauffman and Case Foundations are the
founding sponsors.
“Providing startups with access
to large companies that could be potential customers, partners or advisors will
be an incredible growth driver for young companies,” said Scott Case, CEO of the
Startup America Partnership. “NYSE Euronext is stepping up in a huge way to
take the lead on making this idea a reality and we could not be more excited to
collaborate with them on this important project.”
Corporate Connections and
Engagement
The NYSE Big StartUp’s corporate connections program locally
and nationally will provide “live” and “virtual” events, learning and mentoring
experiences, conferences and roundtables, webcasts, and relationship-building
opportunities. The Corporate Connections platform, a secure
and confidential web portal that is part of the Startup America Partnership,
will help drive increased demand for the goods and services of America’s
startups and entrepreneurs by providing an easy forum for corporations to
review and consider pre-screened small businesses and entrepreneurs for
potential new business and supplier relationships. Corporations can expand
their supply chain and vendor networks, and also provide startups and
entrepreneurs with access to support services including accounting, finance,
legal and logistics as well as valuable guidance on sales and marketing,
website construction, business operations and more. The initiative will also
build on NYSE Euronext’s role as an active advocate for investors and companies
small and large on key policy and regulatory matters, especially those focused
on enterprise growth, capital formation and job creation.
“Connecting corporate America
to young growth businesses and entrepreneurs is a powerful combination,” said
Scott Cutler, Executive Vice President and Co-Head of U.S. Listings and Cash
Execution at NYSE Euronext.
“By collaboratively engaging in The NYSE Big Startup, everyone stands to
benefit. Businesses will engage in productive conversations, new opportunities
and ideas will emerge, and new growth and jobs will result. As 90% of job growth occurs after a
company goes public, helping new businesses succeed is vital for our nation’s
economic well-being.”
Among the initial companies
pledging support and participation in The NYSE Big StartUp is Yelp Inc., a
leading innovator whose website connects people with great local businesses.
Yelp will leverage platform insights and marketing best practices to develop
programs that help local businesses engage in an online dialog with their
consumers, and provide companies with practical mentoring and networking opportunities.
Yelp is a great example of what can happen when the entrepreneurial spirit
meets solid execution and a commitment to quality products. With their global
recognition as a successful Silicon Valley company, Yelp is positioned to share
its growth experience and evolution from startup to public company status to
both educate and inspire others.
"Yelp has
redefined how consumers discover local businesses, which has created
opportunities and challenges for business owners as they get up to speed on the
new rules of online consumer engagement," said Jeremy Stoppelman,
Co-founder and CEO, Yelp. "Helping businesses understand and take
advantage of these opportunities to interact with existing and potential
customers is an important part of our business education programs, and we're thrilled
that through this partnership we will be able to increase the reach and
awareness of the best social media practices to help local businesses
accelerate their growth. For Yelp, growing from our launch in San Francisco
seven years ago to the more than 70 markets we now serve around the world has
taught us a few lessons, as well, and we look forward to sharing them with
other companies engaged in a similar journey."
LinkedIn intends to create a group for The NYSE Big
StartUp that will enable participants to connect with one another, engage
in online conversations, encourage companies to form their
own groups to connect with startups and entrepreneurs, and share
insights and advice throughout the LinkedIn community.
Microsoft BizSpark is a global program that helps software
startups succeed. With over 45,000 startups from 100 countries in the program
and a global network of 2,300 BizSpark partners, Microsoft provides great
business value to young technology companies around the world. At no cost, the
program provides a wide range of Microsoft technology, technical and business
expertise, and enhanced market visibility.
“Startups are incredibly vital to a vibrant economy and
very fragile. Through the Microsoft BizSpark program we work with thousands of
startups to help them grow their businesses
by providing access to technology, market visibility, mentoring and inclusion
in the growing BizSpark entrepreneurial community,” said Dan’l Lewin, corporate
vice president, Strategic and Emerging Business Development, Microsoft. “We are
looking forward to adding our energy and assets to this exciting collaborative
effort between NYSE Euronext, Accion, Entrepreneur’s Organization and The
Startup America Partnership where we are a leading sponsor.”
Become the Startup or Entrepreneur
to Ring the NYSE Bell
Small business owners and startups have an exciting
opportunity to win a chance to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange on
May 15, 2012. Through April 15, current or new members of The Startup America
Partnership and EO are eligible to submit entries that will be judged by the
organizations with two winners announced on May 10. To get started and for more
information visit the NYSE
Euronext Facebook page.
Interested in The NYSE Big
StartUp?
For more information on the NYSE
Big StartUp and how to engage with the partnership or to access a list of
programs and events, please visit: www.nysebigstartup.com.
Check out the NYSE Big StartUp
partnership video: http://youtu.be/XukU_PPMJwc
Media Contacts:
·
NYSE Euronext
o
Rich Adamonis – 212 656 2140, Radamonis@nyx.com
o
Keara Everdell – 212 656 2159, Keverdell@nyx.com
·
Accion, U.S. Network
o
Shaolee Sen – 347 709 5872, ssen@accion.org
o
Lesley Bogdanow/Chris
Kittredge (Sard Verbinnen & Co) – 212 687 8080
o
To apply for a small business loan: 866 245 0783
·
Entrepreneurs' Organization
(EO)
o
Tim Young – 703 837 6092, tyoung@eonetwork.org
·
The Startup America
Partnership
o
Chris Roche – 202 419 3153,
chris@s.co
About Accion
As
the largest and only nationwide microlending network in the United States,
Accion connects small business owners with financing and the support it takes
to create or grow healthy businesses. We stand behind every small business
owner as they achieve success, so that businesses – and entire communities –
see real and lasting impact.
With
over 20 years of experience, Accion has made over 44,000 loans totaling over
$320 million since we opened our doors in the United States. Additionally,
hundreds of thousands of business owners across the nation count on Accion for
the access to financial services they need to keep their businesses working and
growing. For more information
about Accion, visit http://us.accion.org/.
About the Entrepreneurs’
Organization
The Entrepreneurs’
Organization (EO) is a dynamic global network of more than 8,000 business
owners in 40 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, the
year 2012 marks EO’s 25th anniversary. With its transformative experiences and
unparalleled peer network, EO transforms the lives of the entrepreneurs who
transform the world. EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and
grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched
personal life. Membership in one of EO’s 120 chapters is by invitation only;
the average member is 41 years old with annual revenues of US$17.3 million. For
more information on EO, visit www.eonetwork.org or
call +1.703.519.6700.
About The
Startup America Partnership
The Startup America Partnership was launched
at the White House in response to President Obama’s call to celebrate, inspire,
and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation. The
Partnership is bringing together an alliance of major corporations, funders,
service providers, mentors and advisors working to dramatically increase the
prevalence and success of high-growth enterprises in the U.S. AOL co-founder
Steve Case chairs the Partnership and the Kauffman and Case Foundations are
founding partners. American Airlines, American Express OPEN, Dell Inc., Intuit
Inc., Microsoft and NYSE Euronext are sponsors. The Partnership will identify,
measure and report on the effectiveness of cross-sector collaboration in
support of entrepreneurial ventures and its effect on job creation and growth. For more information on the
Partnership, visit www.s.co and follow us at www.twitter.com/startupamerica and www.facebook.com/startupamerica.
About NYSE Euronext
NYSE Euronext (NYX) is a leading
global operator of financial markets and provider of innovative trading
technologies. The company's exchanges in Europe and the United States trade
equities, futures, options, fixed-income and exchange-traded products. With
approximately 8,000 listed issues (excluding European Structured Products),
NYSE Euronext's equities markets – the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Euronext,
NYSE Amex, NYSE Alternext and NYSE Arca – represent one-third of the world's
equities trading, the most liquidity of any global exchange group. NYSE
Euronext also operates NYSE Liffe, one of the leading European derivatives
businesses and the world's second-largest derivatives business by value of
trading. The company offers comprehensive commercial technology, connectivity
and market data products and services through NYSE Technologies. NYSE Euronext
is in the S&P 500 index, and is the only exchange operator in the Fortune
500. For more information, please visit: http://www.nyx.com.
Disclaimer and Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain
forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements
concerning NYSE Euronext's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and
other statements that are not historical or current facts. Forward-looking
statements are based on NYSE Euronext's current expectations and involve risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause NYSE Euronext's results to differ materially from current
expectations include, but are not limited to: NYSE Euronext's ability to
implement its strategic initiatives, economic, political and market conditions
and fluctuations, government and industry regulation, interest rate risk and
U.S. and global competition, and other factors detailed in NYSE Euronext's 2011
Annual report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission or the French Autorité des Marchés
Financiers. In addition, these statements are based on a number of assumptions
that are subject to change. Accordingly, actual results may be materially
higher or lower than those projected. The inclusion of such projections herein
should not be regarded as a representation by NYSE Euronext that the
projections will prove to be correct. This press release speaks only as of this
date. NYSE Euronext disclaims any duty to update the information herein.