NEW YORK, March 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Booker, a service management platform (SMP) that helps small-to-medium sized businesses unify operations and automate marketing on a single cloud-based system, won the first annual Take the H.E.L.M. Competition in the "Expanding in Lower Manhattan" category. The company received a $260,000 prize for the win.

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"Our team is proud to know we've had an impact on the vibrant Lower Manhattan community," said Josh McCarter, CEO of Booker. "We bring a completely new perspective on commerce to the financial district and are excited to level the playing field for small businesses through affordable and intuitive cloud-based technology."

"Take the H.E.L.M." – short for Hire + Expand in Lower Manhattan – was launched to attract high-growth industries to the area and ensure that Lower Manhattan remains a global center of innovation. The competition rewarded companies who are bringing the best and brightest employees to the area, diversifying the local economy by complementing the financial sector, and rebranding Lower Manhattan as a hub poised for growth.

Booker will use the proceeds from its win to give one year of free software and support (a $2,000 value) to over 100 health and wellness businesses in Lower Manhattan. Booker wants to enhance these businesses' operations and make it easier for the millions of visitors, employees, and tenants in the area to interact with the wellness industry that surrounds them.

Booker was selected from 300 applicants and four finalists in the "Expanding in Lower Manhattan" category and was joined by some of the best and brightest companies in Lower Manhattan. Booker was recognized for its rapid growth streak, including triple-digit revenue growth for four consecutive years. In 2012, the company tripled its headcount and doubled its footprint in Lower Manhattan. This year, Booker will hire 70 people with the same energy and passion for supporting small businesses.

Watch Booker's story in this video illustrating the company's ongoing commitment to providing affordable and intuitive technology that levels the playing field for small businesses.

Connect with Booker
Booker blog: booker.com/company/blog
Company website: booker.com
Twitter: @getbooker

About Booker
Booker is transforming the way local services are managed by businesses and discovered by consumers. Booker replaces everything from manual methods to disconnected software, and unifies the essential components of running a service business into a single web-based platform, accessible from any device. Booker also enables service business to sell their services online, through their website and a network of partner sites and apps, creating a seamless online booking experience for consumers. Booker processes over one million appointments each month across 70 countries. Headquartered in New York City, Booker's customers include thousands of local service businesses as well as Fortune 500 companies. For more information, visit www.booker.com.

SOURCE Booker