The Global Entrepreneurship Network is pleased to build upon its collaboration with FedEx today, as the multinational corporation celebrates the launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2022.
In a video message marking the 15-year anniversary of the movement, Ryan Kelly, Vice President of E-Commerce + Alliances for FedEx Services, said: “FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities, and we see the impact that entrepreneurs have in unleashing innovations that make the world a better place.”
Last week, GEN, FedEx and Hello Alice announced the recipients of the FedEx Entrepreneur Fund. The $300,000 fund awards grants to small business entrepreneurs owned by military-connected and/or people with disabilities in the U.S. Sponsored by FedEx, the fund is administered through GEN’s Small Business Grants Program.
The Fund received a staggering number of applications, with more than 12,500 applicants, 57% of which were military-connected businesses, while entrepreneurs with disabilities made up 40% of the applicants. The majority of small businesses that applied were woman-owned (62%). Furthermore, 65% of applicants were Black-owned small businesses, followed by multi-racial-owned at 10.6% and Hispanic/Latinx-owned at 5.5%
Throughout Global Entrepreneurship Week, GEN and FedEx will share stories of the recipients, including Jessica Harris, a retired Combat Medic veteran and founder of K9 Salute, and Hannah Heimbaugh, a speech language pathologist, technology specialist and founder of Adaptabilities.
“With the funding from this grant, I would love to hire at least some employees to assist in the manufacturing and distribution of my products during the upcoming holiday season,” said Heimbaugh. “This would help get me through my two busiest months of the year, November and December, and hopefully maintain enough capacity to not have to cut off orders too early.”
“I hope to primarily employ individuals with disabilities, like myself. There is a large need in my community for employment opportunities for people with disabilities. As a therapist whose passion is to help others find tools to increase their independence, I feel strongly about fostering a work environment that is accommodating to the needs of others.”
More entrepreneur stories are available in the FedEx 2022 Global Entrepreneurship Report.
Learn more about the collaboration at https://www.genglobal.org/gew/fedex.