What Would Your Business Do With $25,000?

Published on March 7, 2018

Written by Marc van Bree

Back in 2016, we spoke to Nik Hawks, co-founder of Paleo Treats and one of the bronze winners of the 2015 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. A $5,000 grant allowed Nik and his partners to develop new packaging that enhanced their brand and increased sales.

But according to Nik, “The money is actually the smallest benefit of winning a grant.”

Once you realize that FedEx is putting their full might and power into helping small businesses, and that they are focusing those efforts on your business in order to demonstrate their commitment, you start to get stoked at just how much a massive corporation like FedEx can help you out with. — Nik Hawks, Owner, Paleo Treats

The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest is back, and submissions are open until March 28, 2018. As long as you meet the contest requirements, you’re eligible to submit your company for consideration.

Voting ends on April 4, and on April 24 FedEx will award 10 winners one of the following three prize packages:

Grand Prize (1 winner) – $25,000

Plus $7,500 in FedEx Office® print and business services

Silver Prize (1 winner) – $15,000

Plus $5,000 in FedEx Office print and business services

Bronze Prize (8 winners) – $7,500

Plus $1,000 in FedEx Office print and business services

How to Enter

Don’t be intimidated by the word “grant”; this is not a 20-page submission process. All you have to do is visit the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest page and complete just four steps:

1. Write a short profile.
Share what makes your small business stand out.

2. Gather photos and a logo.
Highlight the best parts of your business through photos.

3. Create a video.
Create a one-minute “elevator pitch” video about your business.

4. Share your profile with your fans.
Once you’ve entered, get votes to help you get noticed.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to FedEx and enter today!

Need a bit more inspiration? Hear the stories of two 2017 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest winners (and ShipStation users): Yellow Scope and Nurdle in the Rough.