FedEx Express has announced the winners of its latest European Small Business Grant competition, awarding a total prize pool of approximately €250,000 (US$278,900) to 19 companies in 16 countries.
Danish startup byAcre won overall – against 2,100 entries and 14 other finalists – to receive a €50,000 (US$55,700) cash grant. Founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2015, byAcre was set up to produce mobility solutions. With a focus on aesthetics and functionality, the company designs rollators to help people rediscover their freedom of mobility and improve their quality of life. byAcre was recognized by the judges for its clear growth strategy and pioneering products that work to dispel the stigma associated with mobility challenges and help people stay active without compromising their lifestyles.
Three companies received the Judges’ Choice Award with €15,000 (US$16,700) prize money each. For digital excellence, eKuore was recognized for its clear digital integration. The Spanish smart medical devices company developed the first digital sound scope on the wireless market that can be connected to a smartphone or tablet to record and store information to achieve more reliable diagnoses.
Moyu, a sustainable notebook company, won the sustainability vote. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Moyu creates sustainable writing products that are erasable and rewritable up to 500 times. For every notebook sold, the company also plants one tree.
Finally, the Czech environmental service company Apis Innovation also won €15,000 for its Thermosolar Hive – a beehive that kills off the varroa mite (bees’ main enemy) to help beekeepers produce better honey.
FedEx also gave an additional €10,000 (US11,000) to each of the 15 small businesses from 15 countries in Europe that were awarded the People’s Choice Award. The winners were voted for by the public in each company’s country. The winning companies were Ümain, Wax and Beans, Fortitudo Diamonds, Pakilia, Kenhuru, Gust of Change, Gravity Wave, Holy Pit, Stampix, Hunor CNC, Comarché, Her Sport, Jardim d’Areias, Greek Chic Handmades and Mapro.
Established in the US in 2012, FedEx Express’s competition seeks to help businesses with 50 or fewer employees to achieve their growth ambitions. Helena Jansson, senior vice president of finance international at FedEx Express and one of the competition’s jury members, said, “In an uncertain time when small businesses need more support than ever, we’re thrilled to award and recognize the winners of this year’s competition. It was a tough choice given the outstanding quality of entries, but our four main winners showed exceptional ambition and innovation and we’re excited to help them write their next chapters in 2022 and beyond.”