Small Business Competition Cash Awards

FedEx launched the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest, which awards ten U.S. based small businesses with grants up to $50,000 and up to $7,500 in FedEx Office print and business services. Applicants must answer questions including a short profile regarding their business, and upload images that best represent your business and an (optional) 90-second video. The program is open to all non-franchise for-profit small businesses operating for at least six months with 99 or fewer employees (franchised or direct-seller businesses are not eligible). For more information check out the contest rules. Applications are due March 2nd.

The Investors Bank Movers & Shakers Small Business Competition is now live, with top prizes including $10,000 in cash as well as $15,000 in advertising on NewsRadio880. Applicants must write a short statement up to 1,000 words highlighting your business’ creativity, competitive approach and community impact, and upload an optional video of up to three minutes. The program is open to privately owned and operated, for-profit businesses with annual revenue between $2,000,000 - $20,000,000 annually, and fewer than 100 employees. For more on eligibility and to enter go to smallbizentry.com. Applications are due February 28th.

The 2020 StartUP! Business Competition launched by the Queens Economic Development Corp. offers $10,000 in seed funding and targets Queens-based start-ups as well as businesses with less than $100k in annual sales. To be eligible entrepreneurs must complete online application questions focused on the company’s product, market, business model, team and use of funds as well as 3-year financial projections, submit a 3-minute video, and attend designated small business training programs. Check out intake link for eligibility and to get started, and Pace SBDC client Smooth Pops, the 2018 winner.

Applications are due March 1st.

The 2020 PowerUP! Competition launched by the Brooklyn Public Library offers cash prizes including a $20,000 first prize as seed capital to start a business in Brooklyn. The plan submissions include plans for providing product/service to your target market and how you will use the financial award. Participants must attend an orientation, get a Brooklyn Public Library Card, meet with a business advisor, and attend a minimum of three classes on creating business plans, marketing, financial projections, and market research. Check the website for more info and list of orientation dates.

SCORE NYC and NY Women in Business launched the B-to-B Business Plan & Pitch Competition, with awards including a $10,000 first prize. All NYC small businesses who make and sell products to other businesses and have been in business 1+ years are eligible. To apply, entrepreneurs must download and submit a 5-page business plan template and attend a March 27th event where eight finalists make 60-second presentations. For more information, email questionsbizcompetition2020@scorenyc.org. Submissions are due March 6th.

Please contact our business advisor team if you have any questions on these opportunities, or if we can help with your small business growth.