The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest was launched in 2012 in an effort to provide small grants to passionate and innovative entrepreneurs from across the country, helping them to address a number of small business challenges, and thus helping themto take their businesses to the next level.The contest offers a total prize pool of $120,500, split between 10 U.S.-based small businesses, and includes a credit for print and business services from FedEx Office and discounts on FedEx products and services.
The Application Process
The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest is open to U.S.-based for-profit small businesses. Companies must have less than 99 employees and must have been operating for at least six months to be eligible to apply. The actual application is quite straightforward: applicants must write a short profile about their business,include four photos of their business or product including their logo. Applicants are also encouraged to submit a 90-second “elevator speech” video to supplement their entry. Winners are selected from a combo public voting/judging process, so participants are encouraged to share their participation with their social networks to boost votes. After the judging period, 10 small businesses are awarded prizes as follows:- Grand prize: One winner of $25,000, plus $7,500 in FedEx Office print and business services
- Silver prize: One winner of $15,000, plus $5,000 in FedEx Office print and business services
- Bronze prize: Eight winners of $7,500, plus $1,000 in FedEx Office print and business services