Search

Why Small‑Town Entrepreneurs Should Apply for The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge

Erika Willitzer
7 hours ago
3 min read

Small towns are full of grit, heart, and big ideas—yet too often, the spotlight (and the funding) goes to businesses in major metros. That’s exactly why

The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge, in partnership with Inc., is such a powerful opportunity for rural and small‑town entrepreneurs.

This national competition doesn’t just hand out prize money—it elevates the stories, ingenuity, and determination of business owners who are building something remarkable in their communities.

According to Inc., the 2026 challenge invites small business owners to enter for a chance to win a share of up to $35,000, a feature in Inc. magazine, and a trip to Nashville to compete live on stage.

That’s not just a contest. That’s a launchpad.

What Is the Small Biz Challenge?

The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge is an annual competition designed to uncover the next generation of unstoppable entrepreneurs. Each year, thousands of business owners apply, and only nine semifinalists are selected to move forward. Those semifinalists receive mentorship, national visibility, and the chance to compete for the grand prize.

For small‑town business owners—who often operate with fewer resources, smaller teams, and limited access to capital—this challenge levels the playing field.

What You Can Win

Here’s what’s on the table:

Up to $35,000 in prize funding to grow your business
A national feature in Inc. magazine
A trip to Nashville to compete live
Mentorship from business experts
Massive visibility for your brand

This isn’t just money—it’s momentum. It’s credibility. It’s a chance to tell your story on a national stage.

Why Small‑Town Entrepreneurs Should Apply

1. You’re Already Doing More With Less

Small‑town business owners are masters of resourcefulness. You stretch budgets, wear every hat, and build customer loyalty the old‑fashioned way. That resilience is exactly what this challenge celebrates.

2. Your Story Deserves a Bigger Audience

Small towns produce some of the most inspiring business stories in America—stories of family legacies, comeback journeys, and community‑driven innovation. This challenge gives you the platform to share yours.

3. Funding Can Be Harder to Access in Rural Areas

While big cities have accelerators, investors, and grant networks, small towns often don’t. A $35,000 prize can be transformational—new equipment, a storefront upgrade, a marketing push, or the ability to hire your first employee.

4. Visibility Brings Opportunity

A feature in Inc. is more than publicity—it’s validation. It opens doors to partnerships, customers, and future funding.

5. Your Success Lifts Your Entire Community

When a small‑town business grows, the whole town feels it. Jobs, pride, foot traffic, and local spending all rise. Winning this challenge doesn’t just change your business—it strengthens your community.

Who’s Eligible?

According to the program rules, applicants must:

Be U.S. residents
Be 18 or older
Own and operate an independent (non‑franchised) small business with nine or fewer employees
Apply before the program deadline (typically in February)

If that’s you, you’re exactly who this challenge was built for.

Don’t Count Yourself Out

Too many small‑town entrepreneurs assume national competitions are “for someone else.” But the truth is: your small town is your superpower. Your creativity, your resilience, your connection to your community—those are the qualities that stand out in competitions like this.