Latino Professionals in Southern California Compete for Grants to Launch and Grow Their Small Businesses

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The entry period for the Third Annual Latino Small Business Awards presented by Verizon Wireless will continue through September 30, 2011. Established entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, and working professionals can nominate themselves or others for cash and technology grants valued at over $70,000.  More information, including how to enter, is available at www.verizoninsider.com/negocios and at local networking events held throughout Southern California.  

There are three entry categories: Outstanding Entrepreneur for established entrepreneurs whose businesses have been in business for over one year, Outstanding Aspiring Entrepreneur for professionals planning to start their own businesses within the next five years and Outstanding Business Professional for professionals who work for a small or large corporation and do not own their own businesses. The winners of the Outstanding Entrepreneur and Outstanding Aspiring Entrepreneur awards will each receive one Motorola Xoom, one 4G LTE Mobile HotSpot, three 4G LTE Samsung Charge devices and voice and data service one year or up to $7,000– and $10,000 in cash! The winner of the Outstanding Business Professional award will be awarded a $2,500 donation to a non-profit of his/her choice, one Motorola Xoom, one 4G LTE Mobile HotSpot, three 4G LTE Samsung Charge devices and voice and data service one year or up to $7,000.

Applicants must explain how a Verizon Wireless grant will help change and expand their businesses. Verizon Wireless will then choose contest winners on October 10, 2011 and announce grant recipients on October 14, 2011 during an intimate awards ceremony.

As part of the Latino Small Business Awards contest, Verizon Wireless will partner with several Latino business events throughout Southern California.  Updated times and addresses will be posted on www.verizoninsider.com/negocios

Last year's grand prize winner, Araceli Padilla of Araceli Padilla Insurance Agency was awarded $2,500 in cash, ten Motorola Droid 2 smartphones and service for one year on these devices. "When my name was announced as the winner of Verizon's Latino Small Business Award, I was in disbelief because I knew that my hard work and sacrifice was being acknowledged by someone else. Today, that award continues to help me move forward and motivates me to inspire others," said Padilla.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless