14 January 2025
Calling All Trailblazing Entrepreneurs for The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge
SAN DIEGO – The UPS Store, Inc., the nation’s largest franchisor of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers, and Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, are teaming up to invite game-changing, innovative, and hard-working entrepreneurs and creators across the nation to compete for the business opportunity of a lifetime.
Those who enter the 2025 The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge and advance to the final round will have an opportunity to compete live in Austin, Texas for a portion of the total prize pool of $35,000. The winner will receive $25,000 and national recognition through a feature in Inc. Throughout the event, semi-finalists and finalists will have incredible mentorship opportunities and networking connections to help evolve and grow their business.
“The Small Biz Challenge is a key example of the support The UPS Store proudly provides to small businesses nationwide,” said Michelle Van Slyke, senior vice president of marketing and sales at The UPS Store, Inc. “I could not be more excited to kick off this year’s competition and discover the next wave of unstoppable small business owners with bright futures ahead.”
As a leading franchisor with more than 5,300 locally owned and operated locations in the United States, The UPS Store network understands what it takes to run a small business. The UPS Store Small Biz Challenge began in 2019 and continues to grow each year as a program that recognizes and empowers aspiring small businesses. This year’s final competition will take place in front of a live audience in Austin, Texas in late April – just in time to recognize the 2025 winner during National Small Business Month in May.
"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The UPS Store and look forward to showcasing the journeys of innovative entrepreneurs who are driving the future of business," said Jennifer Henkus, Executive Vice President of Sales at Inc.
The 2025 The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge is now open for submissions. Here's how to enter:
Entry Phase: From now through February 19th, eligible small business owners can enter the 2025 The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge by completing a short, online entry form at inc.com/the-ups-store-challenge.
Semi-Finalist Selection Phase: The UPS Store, Inc., and Inc. Business Media will review all online submissions and select the nine semi-finalists. Each semi-finalist will be partnered with a mentor who will help provide motivation and entrepreneurial advice as they compete in the next phase of the Small Biz Challenge.
The nine semi-finalists, together with their individual mentor, will compete in various challenges. These may range from a variety of common skills and know-how needed to run a successful small business, such as marketing, staffing, operations, and company culture.
Voting Phase: After each challenge, the nine semi-finalists, alongside their entrepreneurial mentors, will share their answers for the public to view and cast votes. The public voting phase will run from March 17th to April 4th and will determine the three final contestants.
Final Phase: The top three contestants will travel to a final event in Austin on April 24th to present in front of a celebrity host and guest judges. A winner will be announced and given the ultimate prize plus an editorial feature in an upcoming issue of Inc. magazine.
The UPS Store, Inc., encourages small business owners from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to participate in The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge. For full official rules and guidelines on how to enter, visit https://www.inc.com/theupsstore/rules/index.html.
ABBREVIATED RULES & REGULATIONS:
No purchase necessary. Open only to individuals (U.S. residents, 18 or older) who own and operate an independent (non-franchised) small business (9 or fewer employees) in the U.S. Entry submission period: 12:00am ET 1/9/2025 - 11:59pm ET 2/19/2025. Up to nine (9) semi-finalists selected to compete in virtual challenges and voting. Three (3) finalists will be selected to compete in live challenges and voting to determine one (1) grand prize winner in Austin, TX. Cash prizes awarded to finalists based on score in the finals in Austin. Visit https://www.inc.com/theupsstore/rules/index.html for complete official rules, including eligibility and judging criteria. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by The UPS Store, Inc., 6060 Cornerstone Court West San Diego, CA 92121 and Mansueto Ventures LLC, d.b.a Inc. Magazine, 250 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007. Copyright © 2025 The UPS Store, Inc. All rights reserved.
Back to Pressroom