FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, today announced the launch of the Small Business Grant Competition in Europe. The competition offers a total grant pool of nearly €250.000 to European small businesses to help them grow and achieve their ambitions. For the first time, the competition will be run as a single pan-European contest, open to small businesses based in 16 countries.

　　The competition is open to for-profit small businesses with 50 employees or fewer across the following European countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

　　Fifteen finalists[1] will be selected to compete for the Grand Prize (€50.000) or one of the three Judges’ Choice Awards: Digital Excellence, Sustainability Champion, and Innovation Mastermind (€15.000 each). In addition to the finalists competing for one of the four prizes awarded by the jury, the non-finalist companies take part in the public voting phase and can win the People’s Choice Award in their country, leading to 15 additional winners who will receive €10.000 each.

　　“Running a small business is tough at the best of times, but the last 18 months have really pushed SMEs to adapt to survive,” said Helena Jansson, SVP Finance International, FedEx Express and Small Business Grant Contest jury member. “Through the Small Business Grant Competition, we want to get behind our small businesses, help them achieve their dreams, and write the next chapter of their story.”