Leveling the Playing Field: Inside the Vision of MatchAwards.com
Walking into the Fayetteville headquarters of MatchAwards.com, I immediately knew this wasn’t just another tech startup. This was something with power behind it. Purpose. Something built for people like me. People who serve, lead, and lift up communities every single day. I sat down with Clarence Briggs, CEO and founder of both Advanced Internet Technologies (AIT) and MatchAwards.com, and Kenneth (Kenny) Rogers, who leads Business Development and Partnerships, to get the inside scoop on a platform that’s doing far more than turning heads. It’s turning tides.
Clarence, a military veteran turned tech entrepreneur, spoke about starting his first business in a garage. It took him a full year to land his first sale, $19.95. But from that seed, he built a multimillion dollar company and, more recently, created MatchAwards.com to solve the access problem so many small businesses face.
“Access shouldn’t be a privilege. It should be a right,” he said. As someone who’s fought to get a seat at the table in my own journey, I felt that. Deeply.
MatchAwards.com is a platform built to connect users with real opportunities. Contracts, grants, subcontracts, scholarships, loans, and jobs. All in one place. It’s sleek, user friendly, and zero cost. But what truly makes it stand out is how intentional it is. This isn’t just a tech solution. It’s a tool for justice, access, and visibility.
“It’s designed to be as simple as scrolling your feed,” Kenny told me. “You log in, build a profile, and instantly see opportunities tailored to you.”
I have to take a moment and say this. I joined MatchAwards early on, back when it was just beginning to take shape. Now, seeing it flourish is personal. At L3 Brand Media, we’ve always been deeply connected to the community and business circuit. MatchAwards has been perfect for us, giving our team the tools and insights to stay informed and to pass those opportunities on to others. This platform allows us to help our clients, partners, and community members grow. That’s real impact.
Clarence and Kenny aren’t just developing software. They’re dismantling barriers. They’ve built a platform that doesn’t ask who you know. It focuses on what you bring to the table. And with more than 67,000 users worldwide, they’re proving that transparency, fairness, and innovation can coexist.
MatchAwards also sheds light on where the money is really going. With features that highlight repeat award winners, suspicious spending patterns, and lack of access for small businesses, the platform gives users the information they need to ask the right questions and hold decision makers accountable.
“The truth doesn’t discriminate,” Clarence said. “It shines on everybody.”
What’s next? The launch of their MAPU Token, a digital currency with real utility built into the platform. Not just hype, but value tied to use and success. They’re also building out a global resource hub, expanding into international markets, and looking to create a crypto exchange that gives small business owners and creatives an even bigger chance to win.
Balancing growth while staying rooted in the mission isn’t easy, but Clarence says it best. “You’ve got to kill the most dangerous target first.” That means handling what’s urgent, staying grounded in what matters, and being willing to shift when needed.
I walked away from this conversation energized and proud. Proud that something this powerful is being built right here in Fayetteville. Proud that leaders like Clarence and Kenny are thinking about the underrepresented, the underestimated, and the overlooked. And proud that L3 Brand Media is part of this moment, helping shine a light on a platform that’s already changing lives.
MatchAwards.com isn’t just smart business. It’s purpose driven progress. And in a world where closed doors are too often the norm, this platform is a key.
Clarence Briggs. Kenneth (Kenny) Rogers. MatchAwards.com. Remember the names. And if you haven’t joined yet, trust me. It’s time.