An invitation to entrepreneurs from Europe, North America and Central/South America

BBVA Open Talent 2014 reinforces its quest for innovative startups in its most global edition


  • BBVA has opened the registration period for a renewed sixth edition of Open Talent 2014 aimed at innovative technology-based entrepreneurs
  • The competition celebrates three parallel editions in Europe, North America and Central/South America with the objective to reach more projects and extended geographies
  • BBVA Open Talent promotes the participation of startups related to financial services in the new banking category, where the final presentations will be taken place at the "Next Bank" events
  • The winners along with the runners up and the most voted project online, will take part in a week of training and networking with investors in New York

The registration period to participate BBVA Open Talent 2014 is open from April 8th to June 10th. This is a competition targeted for innovative technology-based entrepreneurs, which is renewed this year with three regional editions (Europe, North America and Central/South America). It has attracted more than 2,400 projects in the previous editions of BBVA Open Talent. BBVA Open Talent 2014 aims to reach entrepreneurs from more countries in its sixth edition. At the same time, BBVA desires the participation of entrepreneurs who could innovate the financial industry.

"We want to reinforce the impact of BBVA Open Talent in local entrepreneurship ecosystems. Our competition is therefore global in scope but, it is organized in three regional editions. This could generate a greater opportunity for projects from each of the geographies in return" explains Gustavo Vinacua, BBVA Innovation and Open Innovation Centers Director. "This year, the competition will have six winners with a special focus placed on startups that innovate the financial services industry," insists Vinacua.

BBVA Open Talent 2014 has kept its two categories focused on innovation alike to the past editions. One is dedicated to innovative technology-based projects (Digital Life); the other is oriented to financial or new banking initiatives (New Banking).

Each of these categories will have 10 finalists by region and the entrepreneurs must defend their projects in front of a Panel of Judges in various Next Bank events. The South America and Central America edition will hold its final project presentation in Bogota in July. The North American edition will be hosted in Mexico in September, followed by the European edition in Barcelona in October. As a new feature of Open Talent 2014, the audience attending the final project presentations at the "Next Bank" events may participate along the panel of judges in selecting the winners.

The six winners of BBVA Open Talent 2014 will receive a total prize equivalent to 30,000 euros in the form of capital injection by BBVA in shares. Or, the winners could become a service provider to promote their services within the BBVA Group.

Public voting
Public voting is also maintained at the BBVA Open Talent 2014 through Internet voting. This process will be opened, once the winners of each regional edition have been revealed. Internet users will be able to choose their favorite Open Talent 2014 project among all the selected finalists.

The Open Talent 2014 project that receives the most online votes will accompany the winners and runners-up in a trip to New York in the Crash Acceleration week. This is where they can showcase their projects to potential investors and business incubators. In addition, they will receive training and expertise on the entrepreneurial environment.

All information concerning BBVA Open Talent 2014 regardless of the geographic edition can be located on the BBVA Innovation Center website. BBVA Open Talent is an initiative that forms part of the BBVA open innovation model. Its ultimate goal is to attract projects and talent that can create value for the bank. Moreover, to cultivate these projects and talent by giving them an opportunity to collaborate with the BBVA Group.

Contact details:
BBVA Corporate Communications
Tel. +34 619 274 063
comunicacion.corporativa@bbva.com

For more financial information about BBVA visit:
http://shareholdersandinvestors.bbva.com
For more BBVA news visit: http://press.bbva.com/

About BBVA

BBVA is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group has a solid position in Spain, it is the largest financial institution in Mexico and it has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States. Its diversified business is biased to high-growth markets and it relies on technology as a key sustainable competitive advantage. Corporate responsibility is at the core of its business model. BBVA fosters financial education and inclusion, and supports scientific research and culture. It operates with the highest integrity, a long-term vision and applies the best practices. The Group is present in the main sustainability indexes.

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