The winner of the second FedEx Small Business Grant competition in the UK has been announced by FedEx Express.
Blok Knives was awarded the grand prize of £20,000 after successfully outlining its plans for international growth to a panel of business experts.
Brontie & Co won the runner-up prize and received £10,000.
The competition rewards businesses who dream of going global, have an entrepreneurial streak and employ up to 99 employees.
Blok Knives, makers of handmade kitchen knives, was crowned the winner from a shortlist of ten companies across a range of sectors.
The company was judged against robust criteria which included sales growth, strategic vision for the company and how the business is supporting the local community and environment.
The judging panel included David Milner, CEO of Tyrrells, national business journalist, David Prosser and Martin Davidian, managing director of sales, UK (North) and Ireland at FedEx Express.
Davidian says, ‘The SME market is incredibly buoyant and filled with dynamic companies which have huge potential for growth and development.
‘The FedEx Small Business Grant UK aims to provide them with the support needed to achieve this growth across an international stage. The fact our esteemed panel of business judges was so impressed by the entrants this year is testament to the quality and entrepreneurial flair of each of the businesses. With eight countries across the world taking part this year, we hope to help more SMEs to realise their global ambitions.’
FedEx has a strong SME customer base in countries around the world, which it supports through tailored business solutions. The Small Business Grant Contest is an additional strand of support for the SME community.
It was established in the US in 2012 and was extended to Hong Kong, Singapore and Brazil in 2015 and then to Germany, France and the United Kingdom in 2016 before launching in Italy this year.
The competition ultimately rewards those businesses who dream of going global, have an entrepreneurial streak and employ fewer than 99 employees.
Further reading on grants
