This program is currently between intakes. Annual. 2025 contest: March 1 – April 30, 2025. Confirm on the official site ↗
Updated June 2026 · Verified against FedEx Canada guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Lump Sum Est. 2021
Award Private Between Intakes

FedEx #BackingSmall Business Contest (Canada)

FedEx Canada
Prize
Grand prize $25,000 + 10 × $10,000 + 5 × $5,000 = $150,000 total
Annual
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Lump Sum
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
FedEx #BackingSmall Business Contest (Canada) provides up to Grand prize $25,000 + 10 × $10,000 + 5 × $5,000 = $150,000 total. Annual contest awarding a grand prize of $25,000, ten prizes of $10,000, and five prizes of $5,000 to Canadian small businesses, totaling $150,000. Annual.
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

Annual contest awarding a grand prize of $25,000, ten prizes of $10,000, and five prizes of $5,000 to Canadian small businesses, totaling $150,000. One of the most accessible business contests — entry requires only a FedEx shipment during the contest period and an online application.

Eligibility Requirements

  • For-profit Canadian business
  • 6+ months in operation
  • Maximum 99 employees
  • Must be a FedEx customer (at least one shipment during contest period)
  • Legally registered in Canada
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
All
Business Stage
Startup Growth Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
High
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Grand prize $25,000 + 10 × $10,000 + 5 × $5,000 = $150,000 total
Type
Award
Level
Private
Deadline
Annual

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
High
Deadline
Between Intakes
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win FedEx #BackingSmall Business Contest (Canada)

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Entry just requires a FedEx shipment during the contest period — making this one of the most accessible business contests in Canada.

Premium See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.

Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Common rejection pitfalls, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Confirm eligibility For-profit Canadian business, 6+ months in operation, maximum 99 employees, valid FedEx account number in good standing. Non-profits and primarily donation-based businesses are excluded.

Required Documents 5

✓ Online contest entry form
✓ Business description and story

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Government Small Business Grants Canada Post Solutions for Growing Business BDC Financing Provincial Export Programs
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential
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How FedEx #BackingSmall Business Contest (Canada) Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about FedEx #BackingSmall Business Contest (Canada)

Free
Can sole proprietors apply?
Yes, sole proprietors qualify if registered in Canada, operating 6+ months, and shipping via FedEx during contest period. No incorporation required.
What's the typical award amount?
Most winners receive $5,000-$10,000; only 11 businesses get $10,000+ (1 grand prize + 10 tiered prizes).
Do I need to ship before applying?
Yes — must have made at least one FedEx shipment during the contest period to be eligible. Entry requires proof of shipment.
Why do most applications fail?
Most fail due to no FedEx shipment during contest period, business less than 6 months old, or not being a Canadian-registered for-profit.
Can I combine this with other grants?
Yes — no restrictions on stacking with government grants, BDC financing, or provincial programs like Canada Post Solutions.

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