The Cupcake Collection named a winner in FedEx's 11th annual small business grant contest

The 11th annual FedEx Small Business Grant competition opened on Jan. 31. A $330,000 prize pool was at stake. The winners were announced today, and Nashville is among them.

FedEx, based in Memphis, is dividing the money between ten grand prize winners. Each will receive $30,000 and $1,000 worth of FedEx Office printing and business services.

Here is a list of the champions for this year:

Wallaroo Hat Co. Boulder, Colorado

FedEx's EVP and Chief Customers Officer Brie Carre stated in a press release that FedEx is committed to empowering and providing entrepreneurs with the resources needed to succeed. We're thrilled to bring attention to these small businesses, and we look forward to helping them grow and prosper.

They will also receive a $300 voucher through My FedEx Rewards, access to FedEx Premier Customer Service and a sustainable packaging consultation from FedEx Packaging Lab. HigherVisibility will offer 20% off a monthly SEO plan. Entrepreneurs' Organization members can attend a mentoring session. The United States Automobile Association's Small Business Insurance provided an additional $20,000 to Chesapeake BAYDOG.

Mignon Francois founded The Cupcake Collection 2008 at her home in Germantown. She turned a $5 idea and a business into one of the most successful bakeries in the city. The Cupcake Collection has expanded beyond its Germantown location to include a New Orleans store and ships nationally.

Not only the 10 grand prize-winners benefit from this contest. The 100 finalists will receive free access to Initiative for a Competitive Inner City's (ICIC) annual conferences, digital learning platform, and up to three webinars.

The winners of the People's Choice Awards - a 10-day period during which the public selects a winner each day from all entrants - will receive digital gift cards worth $1,000.

The following businesses have been selected as People's Choice:

Friendly City Books in Columbus, Mississippi

This year, more than 8,200 companies entered the contest. Over the last 11 years, FedEx has provided more than $1.98 in grant money and credit for printing to nearly 80,000 U.S.-based businesses.