Do you sell bowling balls to Bangladesh? Or dish towels to Delhi? Maybe you send laser technology to Lisbon? If you export your goods or services around the world and have used a federal government program or assistance to get there, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Visa Inc. want to see your story. Enter the “2013 SBA-Visa Export Video Contest,” where participants will have a chance to win up to $10,000 in prize money. Eligible small business exporters are encouraged to submit a video to www.exportvideo.challenge.gov that will highlight how the small business became a successful exporter, the benefits of exporting and government programs available to help them export.
To participate in the contest, the company must be a small business as determined by SBA’s size standards (http://www.sba.gov/content/summary-size-standards-industry) and comply with a set of requirements that include successfully completing at least one export transaction and using at least one federal program or service to support such transaction. Contest participants must register and create an account with www.challenge.gov, the contest portal that also will serve as a repository for the submissions. Registration is free.
“This contest is a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to be recognized for their efforts in exporting and how they contribute to the global market,” said U.S. Small Business Administration Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Natalia Olson-Urtecho. “Between 2009 and 2011, U.S. exports saw a 40 percent growth, and the SBA continues to provide programs and resources that can assist businesses to compete globally.”
A panel of judges chosen by SBA will select five videos to be awarded cash prizes directly by Visa, Inc. – $10,000 for first place; $8,000 for second place; $6,000 for third place; $4,000 for fourth place and $2,000 for fifth place.
The videos must meet specific criteria that include duration no longer than three minutes and high-resolution format. Content should be educational, not promotional. The contest is open from Feb. 25 through April 5, 2013. Winners will be announced no later than May 31, 2013.
For more information and submission procedures and requirements, please visit www.exportvideo.challenge.gov.