FedEx has announced the winners of its 2026 Small Business Grant Contest for the Asia Pacific region, recognising innovative startups with global potential. Singapore-based Venti Technologies emerged as the overall winner, securing a US$30,000 grant for its development of Physical AI-powered autonomous vehicle solutions tailored for logistics environments such as ports and warehouses.
In addition to Venti Technologies, three other companies received Special Mentions, each awarded US$13,000. These include Aether Fuels from Singapore, which converts waste carbon into sustainable aviation and marine fuels; Linkerbot from China, known for its dexterous robotic hands for industrial and humanoid applications; and Sicona Battery Technologies from Australia, which commercialises silicon carbon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.
The contest, now in its fifth year in Asia Pacific, is held in collaboration with Forbes Asia and draws from the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list. Winners are selected based on their innovation, scalability, and international competitiveness. Salil Chari, president of Asia Pacific at FedEx, highlighted the significance of the contest, stating, “The entrepreneurs recognised this year reflect the extraordinary pace of innovation across Asia Pacific.”
Launched in the US in 2012, the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest now spans 31 international markets, including Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. The initiative underscores FedEx’s commitment to supporting emerging businesses through funding and enabling efficient supply chains and logistics solutions.
