AUSTIN, Texas, April 28, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Vinay Bhagat, founder and CEO of Convio, the leading online Constituent Relationship Management (eCRM) company serving the nonprofit sector, has won a "Rising Star" award, which honors people shaping the future of technology.
The annual Rising Stars program, sponsored by the Austin Business Journal, recognizes professionals who, according to the publication, "exemplify what's best about the Central Texas high-tech community." There are only four winners plus four finalists in four categories. Bhagat has won a 2003 award in the "established company" category.
Convio provides Internet software and services that enable groups to more effectively attract, motivate and retain constituents to donate, participate in special events, engage in advocacy and provide other forms of support. Bhagat got the idea for Convio in early 1999 when he was Director of eCommerce at Trilogy Inc. in Austin. While volunteering at a public TV station pledge drive, he realized that nonprofits could benefit from the efficiencies of the Internet. In March of that year, Bhagat left Trilogy and launched Convio several months later. Today, Convio partners with more than 100 clients, including many of the nation's leading nonprofits, among them, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Georgetown University, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, KCET-Los Angeles Public Television and Easter Seals.
In the Austin Business Journal's coverage on Bhagat's award (April 25-May 1 issue), Easter Seal's Director of Internet Marketing, Shirley Sexton, said Bhagat "is one of the few people ... that understands the importance of customer relationship management and how it can be applied to the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits were slow to that game, and he was an evangelist and believer years before others got it. He's proven to be right."
Ross Cockrell, a venture partner with Austin Ventures and a member of Convio's Board of Directors, told the publication, that Bhagat "... believes in what he's doing and that it matters. But he doesn't lose sight of the fact that serving a higher purpose doesn't make payroll. He's building a sustainable business."
Bhagat credits his staff with helping to build Convio. "I have recruited a very strong team of people who have high integrity, believe in and are passionate about helping nonprofits operate more effectively, and who work hard with me every day to make that a reality."
About Convio
Convio is the leading online Constituent Relationship Management (eCRM) company serving the nonprofit sector. Convio provides Internet software and services that help organizations attract, motivate and retain constituents for fundraising, advocacy and other forms support. Convio's product suite includes modules for Web content management, email marketing, general fundraising and membership, advocacy, special events, volunteer fundraising and also online directories and surveys. The Convio platform automatically shares data among all product modules and with offline databases, giving nonprofits a unified and more complete view of each constituent so staff members can conduct personalized and targeted marketing. Convio also offers consulting services to help nonprofits adopt online marketing best practices.
In addition to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Georgetown University, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, KCET-Los Angeles Public Television and Easter Seals, Convio's clients include the American Diabetes Association, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Foundation for Cancer Research, National Trust For Historic Preservation, and the University of Texas at Austin's alumni association, the Texas Exes. For more information, please visit www.convio.com.
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