FedEx small business grant contest returns for its seventh year to see non-profit US companies compete for cash, package prizes and services from the delivery supplier. Non-profit businesses that have fewer than 99 employees and have been operating for six months or more are welcome to enter the competition.
It is designed to help small businesses grow with monetary support from FedEx. This year’s winners will receive expertise and advice from FedEx on vital aspects of building a business. The delivery supplier promises to continue to support sellers after the contest finishes.
This year, the contest distributes a collective prize pool of $220,500 (£169,178) to ten businesses. This is the largest sum since the contest was established in 2012. Specifically, the 2019 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest prize packages include the following. Grand prize: one winner of $50,000 (£38,362) plus $7,500 (£5,754) in FedEx Office® print and business services. Silver prize: one winner of $30,000 (£23,017) plus $5,000 (£3,836) in FedEx Office print and business services. Bronze prize: eight winners of $15,000 (£11,508) plus $1,000 (£767) in FedEx Office print and business services.
The contest has launched yesterday and will end with the announcement of winners on 29th April 2019 on this page. The voting will take place from 27th February to 1st April 2019. FedEx will then announce the top 100 finalists on the contest website on 5th April 2019. The top 100 finalists will be notified via email and asked to provide a second-round submission video by 11th April 2019. The delivery supplier will notify the winners on 26th April 2019 and publically announce winners on 29th April 2019.
The US-based small businesses who want to enter the contest should follow these steps to enter the competition:
- Review an example of a company’s portfolio.
- Write a short profile to share your unique story and offering.
- Upload photos and logo to capture the spirit of your business in images.
- Create a one-minute video pitch about your business. Check out some simple tips to get you started.
- Remind fans to vote for you. Votes are one of the many factors that help you get noticed by the judges.
“We know it’s difficult for even the most promising of small businesses to grow and scale, especially at the beginning of their lifecycle. That’s why we are proud to offer our top ten winners so much more than just the funds to help them grow their businesses. This year, our winners will receive much-needed expertise and advice on some of the most fundamental and critical aspects of building a viable and sustainable business – and we will stay on with them as a trusted advisor as they take their businesses to the next level.”
– Scott Harkins, senior vice president of customer channel marketing, FedEx
