UPS Announces X-Port Challenge for Small Businesses

UPS X-Port Challenge website photo.

UPS has announced its third-annual X-Port Challenge to help small businesses do international business. The nationwide competition allows qualifying start-ups, entrepreneurs and small businesses to compete for a $10,000  prize in international shipping credits with the company.

“The majority of the world’s commerce lies outside the United States, yet exporting remains a challenge for most small businesses,” said Bill Seward, president of UPS U.S. International. “Our business solutions help remove some of those barriers, and this contest is another innovative way to help our customers grow in international markets.”

According to UPS, less than one percent of American companies export their products. Of that number, 58 percent of U.S companies export to only one country.

Qualifying companies in Hawai‘i can participate in the challenge by submitting an application online. A team of UPS employees will evaluate the application based on a range of criteria including uniqueness, presentation, market demand and global readiness. Contact your nearest UPS district for deadline information.

The top 10 applicants selected in each individual UPS district will get to pitch their business and product to a panel of judges from the local international business community. Judges will then select the top three finalists to receive awards. The second and third place winners will receive $2,500 and $1,000 respectively in UPS export shipping credits.

The winner of each market competition will be included in a virtual run-off where UPS employees will vote on which product is export worthy. The top three contestants with the most votes will be invited to a national competition held in the first quarter of the year for an opportunity to win a grand prize of $25,000, 2nd place prize of $15,000 or 3rd place prize of $10,000.

The X-Port Challenge is open to all eligible businesses incorporated and registered to conduct business under Hawai‘i State law. Visit https://global.ups.com/x-portchallenge2017/ for official rules, eligibility requirements and a list of participating markets.