paze

Atlanta Hawks

10 Local Businesses Competed for Grant Funding at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs

ATLANTA – On Wednesday, in celebration of Small Business Month, the Atlanta Hawks and Paze, the team’s official jersey patch partner, teamed up with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) to host ‘Shoot Your Shot,’ a pitch competition designed to spotlight and support innovative RICE stakeholders and entrepreneurs across key industries.

The ‘Shoot Your Shot’ pitch competition brought together RICE stakeholders and entrepreneurs from high-impact sectors, including retail and eCommerce, technology and innovation, entertainment and media, and professional and public services.

Charmaine Gibbs-West, Founder and CEO of EssenceTree, was named the winner of the ‘Shoot Your Shot’ competition presented by Paze, earning a grand prize of $5,000. EssenceTree is an Atlanta-based holistic beauty brand specializing in handcrafted, organic skincare and hair products made with natural ingredients. Second place winner, April Smith, Founder and Creator of OneDay Co., earned $3,000 and third place winner, Matthew C. James, Founder of Immuniscan, earned $1,000.

“I am extremely grateful to the Hawks and Paze for putting on this incredible event for entrepreneurs” said Gibbs-West. “Through my business, EssenceTree, I always want to support the Atlanta culture, and I’m looking forward to putting the capital toward investing into our local economy and giving back to the city of entrepreneurship.”

Nearly 50 entrepreneurs were given the chance to compete, each submitting pitch decks and capability statements for the opportunity to present their ventures and demonstrate their potential on a competitive stage. Following a highly competitive selection process, 10 standout finalists advanced to compete at yesterday’s event at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE). 

“At RICE, we remain steadfast and focused on readiness and access to opportunity and exposure,” said Quintin Bostic, Vice President of Partnerships at RICE. “Partnering with the Atlanta Hawks and Paze to empower our Stakeholders in furthering their business growth serves as a powerful affirmation of that mission. The most enduring impact occurs when we provide the platform for entrepreneurs to scale with confidence; this collaboration is a vital cornerstone of our efforts to build tomorrow together, as we intentionally bridge the gap between local innovation and global excellence to ensure our Stakeholders don't just witness the economic future but lead it.”

Winners were selected based on RICE’s rigorous judging criteria and a purpose-built scoring system developed to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation process specifically designed for pitch competitions. To honor their hard work and participation, every entrepreneur was also gifted with a commemorative co-branded coaster.

“Congratulations to Charmaine Gibbs-West and her business, EssenceTree,” said Craig Ross, Vice President of Channel Partnerships and Market Development,&nbsp;Paze. “Partnering with the Hawks for the ‘Shoot Your Shot’ competition is an opportunity to support Atlanta’s small business community, and we are thrilled to provide resources and capital that empower these entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and reach new heights. Seeing the caliber of talent and innovation on display yesterday proves just how vital it is to invest in the builders and creators who are driving the future of their industries.”

The program opened with a dynamic networking session, building energy and connection ahead of the main competition. Each finalist then took the stage for a rapid-fire pitch round, delivering a sharp three-minute elevator pitch followed by an intensive two-minute Q&A with a panel of judges, testing both the strength of their ideas and their ability to perform under pressure.

The judges included Quintin Bostic, Vice President of Partnerships at RICE, Ensa Gunter, Investor, Entrepreneur, CFO and Chief Compliance Officer of New Voices Fund, William Leonard, Investor of Valor Ventures, Craig Ross, Vice President of Channel Partnerships and Market Development, Paze, and Melissa Silberman, Vice President of Partnership Development and Insights at the Hawks and State Farm Arena.

“We were incredibly honored to team up with Paze and RICE to provide a platform where visionary entrepreneurs can truly shine,” said the Alexis Roe, Vice President of Community Impact at the Hawks and State Farm Arena. “By combining our resources, we are doing more than just hosting a competition, we are investing in the economic heartbeat of Atlanta. Witnessing the ingenuity and passion of these entrepreneurs reinforces our commitment to fostering an ecosystem where local businesses have the capital and support they need to reach the next level.”

Since launching their partnership in 2025, the Hawks and Paze have established their commitment to fostering economic growth and empowering local business owners through strategic community initiatives. Together, the organizations have committed to bridge the gap between innovation and opportunity, ensuring that Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has the resources and visibility needed to thrive.

To learn more about the partnership between Hawks and Paze, visit&nbsp;Hawks.com/Paze.

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charmaine-gibbs-west-founder-ceo-of-essencetree-announced-as-winner-of-hawks-maze-shoot-your-shot-pitch-competition

Charmaine Gibbs-West, Founder & CEO of EssenceTree, Announced as Winner of Hawks & Paze 'Shoot Your Shot' Pitch Competition

Paze will serve as the Official Online Checkout Partner and Digital Wallet of the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena;  The Online Checkout Solution Brings Added Security, Speed, and Convenience to Atlanta’s Globally Renowned Fintech Market

ATLANTA, Sept. 29, 2025 – The Atlanta Hawks and Early Warning Services have announced a multi-year partnership in which Paze, an online checkout solution developed by Early Warning Services and offered by participating banks and credit unions, will become the Official Jersey Patch Partner of the Atlanta Hawks.

Paze checkout enables consumers to shop online with their preferred credit and debit cards via added security through tokenization in which actual card numbers are not shared with merchants.

In addition to having their signature Paze branding on all official Hawks jerseys, Paze will serve as the Official Online Checkout Partner and Digital Wallet of the Hawks and State Farm Arena.&nbsp;

The city of Atlanta is widely regarded as an emerging leader in the global financial technology industry. With more than 245 companies in the region supporting the movement of money worldwide, including Global Payments, the Hawks’ Official Commerce Technology Provider, Atlanta has earned the nickname “Transaction Alley,” as a hub where a significant number of global financial transactions are processed. To date, more than 150 million credit and debit cards have been added to the Paze checkout solution and that number is rapidly growing.

“Partnering with the Atlanta Hawks is a natural fit for us,” said Serge Elkiner, General Manager, Paze.&nbsp; “Atlanta is not only home to one of the NBA’s most dynamic franchises, but also a hub for payment innovation. Teaming up with a franchise that shares our passion for speed and performance makes this partnership even more meaningful. With Paze branding on the Hawks’ jersey, we’re showcasing the same energy fans see on the court in the online checkout experience—speed, teamwork, and innovation.”

The partnership will showcase “Hawks Elite” presented by Paze, a network designated exclusively for Atlanta Hawks Business Members. The program brings together business members, corporate partners, and prospects for exclusive events aimed at building connections and fostering stronger relationships through natural introductions and shared experiences.&nbsp;

The Paze and Hawks partnership will ensure collaboration with fans, small business owners, and entrepreneurs to educate them on the importance of secure digital transactions, empowering the Atlanta community through financial technology and safety best practices.

Additionally, Paze will serve as the presenting partner for the Hawks' highly-anticipated Nov. 8 game against the Los Angeles Lakers at State Farm Arena. As the presenting partner, Paze will be woven into the game experience through enhanced branding, digital and social features, and special in-arena activations to connect directly with Hawks fans.

“Paze checkout has quickly become an emerging solution in the financial technology industry. Its core values are rooted in innovation and providing a first-class checkout experience offering added security for all users. With those shared values, we are proud to have the Paze branding woven into the fabric of the Atlanta Hawks uniforms and throughout our community,” said Andrew Saltzman, Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena Chief Commercial Officer and President of Business Enterprise.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Hawks will incorporate Paze into various high-visibility brand activations on TV, radio, and in-arena as well as dynamic digital signage outside State Farm Arena in the heart of downtown Atlanta.  The Paze branding will also be present throughout Hawks media alongside the Hawks’ primary logo on the press conference backdrop. 

Fans can learn more about the patch partnership and learn how to activate their credit and debit cards in the Paze wallet by visiting&nbsp;Hawks.com/Paze.

paze

Charmaine Gibbs-West, Founder & CEO of EssenceTree, Announced as Winner of Hawks & Paze 'Shoot Your Shot' Pitch Competition

Paze℠ from Early Warning and the Atlanta Hawks Announce Multi-Year Jersey Patch Partnership