UPS and FedEx are trying to broaden their reach among SMEs in Latin America and the US bylaunching separate competitions for the sector.
UPS this week launched the third edition of its “UPS Entrepreneurial Spirit Award” in 14countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. The contest, which runs from September 25th toNovember 9th, will award up to US$50,000 in cash and a scholarship for an executive program fromINCAE Business School to the three most innovative and successful small-and-medium size enterprises(SMEs) in the region.
“SMEs play an instrumental role in the growth and development of a competitive and efficientmarket in Latin America. UPS has and will continue promoting SMEs in the region as well as theentrepreneurs that work tirelessly to make them successful,” said Augie Picado, Vice President ofMarketing UPS Americas Region. “The UPS Entrepreneurial Spirit Award seeks not only to support SMEsin continuing their path of accomplishments, but also gives SMEs a voice to share their innovativeprocesses that have broken new grounds to success,” added Picado.
In Latin America, SMEs are key drivers for employment and generate a substantial share of GDP inthe region. “Participating in a contest that recognizes SMEs was not only a great opportunity forprofessional growth but also recognition for the hard work our employees do every day to make ourbusiness a successful story,” said Juan Aguayo, business development manager for OptiManufacturing, one of the 2010 UPS Entrepreneurial Spirit Award winners.
Meanwhile, FedEx has launched its first-ever, nationwide small business grant competition whichwill award a total of $50,000 to six US small businesses. The top winner will receive a $25,000grant and the remaining five winners will receive grants of $5,000 each. Small businesses, definedas having fewer than 100 employees, will compete for the grants by completing a profile to be votedon by Facebook users.
Voting will run from October 1 to November 24. In December, FedEx will review the entries andselect and announce the top 100 finalists based on their contest profile and the number of votesthey receive from Facebook users. The top six small businesses – including the grand prizewinner – will be announced in January.
To register, participants must answer three questions, each in 500 characters or less, anddescribe their business, explain why they deserve a grant and state what they will do for theirbusiness with the money should they win. The campaign is designed for participants to promotetheir profiles among their own customers and fan bases throughout their social media networks togenerate votes for their businesses.
“FedEx has long recognized that small businesses are incredibly vital to the health of boththe global economy and local communities,” said T. Michael Glenn, executive vice president ofMarket Development at FedEx. “Providing these grants is yet another way for FedEx to show oursupport for small businesses as we continue to create programs to help give them a head start andaccess to new opportunities.”
