FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp and the world’s largest express transportation company, has announced the finalists of its Small Business Grant in the UK.
Competing for a grand prize of £20,000, the finalists successfully emphasised their ambitions to go-global while heralding their future growth plans and now enter the final competition stage.
The companies have been selected across a range of industries and include:
· The Beautiful Blending Co (free-from food company)
· Daughter of the Soil (skincare products from Africa)
· Elderbrook Drinks (healthy cordial specialists)
· RSJS Studios Ltd (cufflink manufacturers using unusual materials)
· Lindsey Lang Design Ltd (award-winning designer of homeware)
· Mr Lee’s Noodles (gluten free noodle range)
· Blok Knives (makers of kitchen utensils)
· Park Lodge International Ltd (creators of mist crating system to control fire)
· Mwnki Ltd (manufacturers of construction toys)
· Prim and Clover (personalised made-to-measure wedding gowns)
‘This year we received a high calibre of entries for FedEx Small Business Grant UK and identifying our five finalists was no mean feat. It’s fantastic to see the number of small businesses recognising the value of exporting and how it can grow their business,’ states Martin Davidian, managing director, sales, UK (North) and Ireland FedEx Express.
‘There’s a whole world of opportunity available, and, at FedEx, we are passionate about providing small businesses with the support and guidance to tap into new markets. We’re hoping the Small Business Grant competition will aid companies with pursuing their global ambitions – we look forward to crowning the winner in due course.’
The next stage of the competition will see the selected finalists further detailing their international growth plans and presenting these to a panel of local business experts, including David Milner, CEO of Tyrrells, national business journalist, David Prosser and Martin Davidian, managing director, sales, UK (North) and Ireland FedEx Express. The winner and runner up of the competition will be announced on 09 May 2017.
The FedEx Small Business Grant was established in the US in 2012 and has achieved considerable success to date. It 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 contest ultimately rewards those businesses who dream of going global, have an entrepreneurial streak and employ fewer than 99 employees.
FedEx plays an important role in connecting small businesses with a world of opportunities through the strength of its global network of 220 countries and territories. Offering a range of tailored shipping solutions to small businesses, FedEx provides peace of mind enabling them to focus on their core business.
Further reading on small business grants
