Fayetteville, NC – In an era where artificial intelligence and blockchain technology are reshaping entire industries, one North Carolina entrepreneur stands at the forefront of transforming how small businesses access government funding. Clarence E. Briggs, founder and CEO of MatchAwards, along with his team of veterans and entrepreneurs, has built their latest venture on nearly three decades of technology innovation and an unwavering commitment to leveling the playing field for America’s entrepreneurs.
The Foundation: Building AIT from the Ground Up
Briggs’ entrepreneurial journey is rooted in his military background, where he developed the discipline and strategic thinking that would later drive his business ventures. After completing his service, he channeled those leadership skills into the technology sector, founding Advanced Internet Technologies, Inc. (AIT) in his garage in 1995 – a classic American startup story that would evolve into a multi-million-dollar technology company.
“Military service teaches you to identify problems, develop solutions, and execute with precision,” Briggs reflects. “Those principles guided everything from building AIT to recognizing the challenges small businesses face in accessing government opportunities.”
What started as a domain hosting and web technology business became the foundation for understanding the digital infrastructure that would later power his most ambitious project yet, MatchAwards.com. “I’m leveraging 30 years of experience,” Briggs reflected and I’ve surrounded myself with a team of young military veterans and entrepreneurs who have the skills and drive to execute and achieve results.”
The Vision: Mission-Driven Technology
That military-honed problem-solving approach led Briggs to identify a massive inefficiency in the $2.3 trillion government procurement market. Despite federal mandates requiring 23% of contracts and grants to go to small businesses, which are 99% of all businesses, systemic barriers and opaque processes were preventing deserving companies from accessing these opportunities.
“We realized that artificial intelligence could solve the matching problem that has plagued government procurement for decades,” Briggs explains. “Instead of small businesses spending countless hours searching for relevant opportunities, we could bring those opportunities directly to them based on their specific capabilities and NAICS codes.”
The Platform: Where AI Meets Opportunity
Under Briggs and his teams’ leadership, MatchAwards has grown to serve over 70,000 registered users through its AI-powered platform that automatically matches businesses with relevant government contracts, grants, and funding opportunities. The platform’s sophisticated matching algorithms analyze user profiles and deliver personalized opportunity feeds in real-time.
Recent interviews showcase Briggs’ expertise across multiple media outlets. From his appearance on WFNC 640 AM’s “Good Morning Fayetteville” to his in-depth discussion with Crypto Potato’s Editor-in-Chief George Georgiev, Briggs has been sharing his vision for how technology can transform business development. His feature in the Fayetteville Business Journal highlighted how MatchAwards functions as a “massive lead generation platform” that helps businesses connect for success. In the past Briggs and his AIT team have also been featured in Forbes Magazine, Time, Entrepreneur Magazine, Army Times, The New York Times and other prominent publications.
The Innovation: Introducing the MAPU Token
Briggs’ latest innovation represents a breakthrough in cryptocurrency utility. The MAPU token (MatchAwards Platform Utility Token) is designed as what he calls a “productivity token” – a digital asset whose value correlates directly with real-world economic activity rather than speculation.
“Traditional cryptocurrencies often lack connection to tangible value creation,” Briggs notes. “The MAPU token changes that by tying its utility and value to actual government procurement activity and small business success on our platform.”
The token serves multiple functions within the MatchAwards ecosystem, including access to premium platform features, participation in the referral program, and enabling advanced ad module transactions.
The Impact: Technology Serving Purpose
What sets Briggs apart in the crowded technology sector is his focus on meaningful impact rather than technological novelty for its own sake. MatchAwards addresses fundamental inequities in how government resources are distributed, using advanced AI algorithms to improve accessibility and match businesses with relevant opportunities in real-time.
“We’re not building technology to impress an imaginary audience built on hype,” Briggs emphasizes. “We’re solving real problems that affect millions of small businesses and the communities they serve. That’s why we’ve been in business for 30 years.”
The platform’s transparency comes through its comprehensive search tools and award tracking features, which allow users to investigate government spending patterns and identify potential opportunities. Meanwhile, the MAPU token represents Briggs’ vision for how blockchain technology can add utility value to business platforms, creating new possibilities for platform engagement and premium feature access.
Looking Forward: Building the Future of Business Development
As MatchAwards continues to scale, with plans for expanding beyond federal opportunities into state, local and eventually global markets, Briggs remains focused on the platform’s core mission. His recent interviews reveal a leader who understands both the technical complexity of AI and blockchain systems and the practical needs of business owners navigating an increasingly complex funding landscape.
From military service to a garage startup in 1995 to launching one of the first government spending-correlated tokens in 2025, Clarence E. Briggs exemplifies how discipline, entrepreneurial vision, and deep technical expertise can create solutions that benefit entire economic ecosystems.
About MatchAwards: Founded by Clarence E. Briggs, MatchAwards operates an AI-powered platform connecting businesses with government contracts, grants, and funding opportunities. The platform serves over 70,000 registered users and recently launched the MAPU token as part of its comprehensive business development ecosystem.
Contact Information: For more information about Clarence E. Briggs and MatchAwards, visit MatchAwards.com/MAPU or follow the company’s updates through their official channels.
This press release contains forward-looking statements about MatchAwards’ technology and platform capabilities. Results may vary, and no financial outcomes are guaranteed.