Inclusion & Belonging

UPS Ignite sparks small business success

01-19-2022
Empowering entrepreneurs in underrepresented communities
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What’s new: UPS is launching UPS Ignite and a partnership with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs to elevate underrepresented founders and the businesses they lead nationwide. Through a $1.25 million investment from UPS and The UPS Foundation, these efforts will reach more than 250 small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) over the next three years. 

Why it matters: Many talented entrepreneurs don’t have access to the knowledge, capital and networks they need to succeed. UPS Ignite provides them with resources and tools to help – and also furthers the company’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.  

The Ignite program has four focus areas:

Watch the video below to learn about UPS Ignite. 

There’s more: UPS Ignite is the company’s latest program to promote equity and inclusion. Other year-round initiatives include:

  • Proudly Unstoppable – UPS launched this campaign in 2021 to celebrate and amplify the voices of the Black, LGBTQ+, Hispanic and AAPI communities by supplying $580K in grants to small business owners, with more to come.
  • Be Unstoppable video series – This program features celebrity small business leaders – Serena Williams, Eva Longoria, Jerry Jones – and offers practical advice.
  • ComplexCon – In addition to being this pop culture festival’s official shipping partner, UPS teamed up with Kids of Immigrants to highlight 13 minority-owned small businesses at the festival.
  • Black Enterprise media buy, including The New Norm with Selena Hill, featuring UPS’s Sophia Shoate and customer Mielle Organics.
  • L’ATTITUDE 2021 – UPS sponsored this event showcasing the contributions of U.S. Latinos in business, media politics, science and technology. 
  • UPS also has partnerships with dozens of national organizations and chambers of commerce that support diverse-owned and women-owned businesses. 

Check out the recipients of the UPS Ignite $100,000 grant program.

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