FedEx Awards $100,000 in Cash and Prizes to Top Ten Winners of its First-Ever Canadian Small Business Grant Contest

Faire Child Wins Grand Prize of $25,000, Plus $15,000 in Marketing and Consulting Services and a Meeting with FedEx Express Canada President, Lisa Lisson

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 21, 2018 /CNW/ - FedEx Express Canada, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), this week announced that Faire Child – an eco-innovative children's outerwear company based out of Nova Scotia – is the grand prize winner of the first-ever FedEx Small Business Grant Contest in Canada. Faire Child will receive a $25,000 CAD grant, plus a meeting with FedEx Express Canada President, Lisa Lisson, a brand marketing workshop with FleishmanHillard HighRoad ($10,000 CAD estimated value), and a consulting meeting with Doug Stephens, "The Retail Prophet", an internationally renowned Canadian business consultant ($5,000 CAD estimated value).

Based out of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Faire Child designs and sells children's outerwear, including waterproof raincoats, rain pants, coveralls, backpacks and caps for children aged three to 10. Items are made with recycled PET bottles (a common water bottle). Using eco-friendly processes, the bottles are broken down and woven into a breathable, waterproof polyester fabric that can be recycled again after use. Faire Child's business model aims to bridge the gap between fashion retail and environmental stewardship.

"FedEx Express Canada appreciates Faire Child's innovative commitment to sustainability and its vision to change the way Canadians approach children's fashion," said Lisa Lisson, President at FedEx Express Canada. "Their company embodies everything we were looking for in a winner, and I can't wait to meet them and learn more about how FedEx can help them reach their potential."

"We are ecstatic to be named the grand prize winner of FedEx's first Small Business Grant contest in Canada," said Tabitha Osler, business owner of Faire Child. "Being awarded this grant has reaffirmed our aspirations and given us a huge boost in our capacity to expand into new markets, offering an alternative to fast fashion, that doesn't just do less bad, but does more good."

In addition to the grand prize, FedEx also awarded Cemento Inc. of Windsor, Ontario, $15,000 plus a consulting meeting with Doug Stephens, "The Retail Prophet" ($5,000 CAD estimated value). The following eight businesses received $5,000 grants:

• Birch Hill Studio Inc. (Vernon, B.C.)
• Hooray Truffles (Gibsons, B.C.)
• Minimo Motivation Ludique (Quebec City, Q.C.)
• ORA (Saskatoon, SK)
• The Bakery Warkworth (Warkworth, ON)
• truLOCAL Inc. (Kitchener, ON)
• Wooly Maple (London, ON)
• Young Native Fashion (Hamilton, ON)

"We were inspired to see such a positive response from small businesses for Canada's first-ever FedEx Small Business Grant Contest," said Ann-Marie McIntosh, Managing Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications, FedEx Express Canada. "There are many smart and forward-thinking small businesses nationwide, and we're thrilled to offer them opportunities to help them grow."

The 2018 contest garnered more than 2,100 entries and more than 375,000 votes. Originally launched in the U.S., the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest expanded to reach customers in other countries, with programs in Brazil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, China, Italy, Singapore and the UK.  

Finding Solutions for Your Business – FedEx Small Business Centre

The FedEx portfolio of services allows small businesses to gain access to the global marketplace and to shipping and logistics solutions.  For more information on how FedEx helps small businesses, please visit the FedEx Small Business Centre at www.fedex.ca/smallbusiness.

About FedEx Express

FedEx Express is one of the world's largest express transportation companies, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories.  FedEx Express uses a global air and ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $65 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 425,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit http://about.fedex.com.

SOURCE FedEx Express Canada

James Anderson, FedEx Express Canada, 905-212-5372, [email protected]