HOUSTON, Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  A retired U.S. Marine who founded one of the fastest-growing companies in the nation will be honored at an event aimed at inspiring new veteran entrepreneurs.

EO-Houston Veterans Business named ret. Lt. Col. Rod Long, co-founder of Team Trident, as its Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year for 2017.

"Leadership by example is a hallmark of military service so to be considered an example to veteran entrepreneurs is a real honor -- one I humbly accept," Long said.

Team Trident, founded in 2006, staffs skilled tradesmen to the offshore oil & gas industry. Its growth and success has helped the company make the INC 500, the Houston Business Journal's FAST 100 and the Aggie 100 lists both in 2013 and 2014. More than a quarter of its employees are veterans and the company has raised more than $500,000 for injured veterans.

"Rod is the type of entrepreneur we hold up as an example not only for his business success, but for the way his company has hired veterans and helped veteran causes. He truly does things the right way for the right reasons," said Veterans Business Battle Co-Founder Corban Bates, a former Army Captain. "Our goal with the Veterans Business Battle is to help launch more veteran-owned businesses that can eventually do the same."

Veterans Business Battle is a business plan competition that serves as a forum for connecting veterans with investors, mentors, advisors and resources. Since its first event in 2015, more than $1.7 million of investment offers have been extended to finalists, with nearly $1 million funded so far, making it the largest veteran-focused business competition in the country.

Applications are open for the 2017 event to any honorably discharged military veteran living in the United States. Veterans can apply at www.vetbizbattle.com by Jan. 8. Finalists will pitch their businesses to investors Feb. 24-25 at Rice University.

Veterans Business Battle was established in 2015 by The Houston chapter of Entrepreneurs' Organization and Rice University's Veterans in Business Association. The competition aims to foster entrepreneurship among veterans, grow veteran-owned businesses and give back to veterans seeking to make a difference in the business world. For more information, visit www.vetbizbattle.com

Contact: Sara Yonker, 713-296-0004
Media@vetbizbattle.com

 

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SOURCE Veterans Business Battle

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