Small Business,
Big Ambition™

Small Business, Big Ambition™ is a year-round initiative created for entrepreneurs and business owners in need of resources and support.

Participation in U.S. Bank and Elavon’s 2026 Small Business, Big Ambition™ Contest (the “Promotion”) constitutes each individual’s full and unconditional agreement to be bound by these Official Rules.

The Promotion is open only to individuals who, as of January 30, 2026:

(a) are legal residents and physically located in the contiguous United States or the District of Columbia, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and other U.S. overseas territories.

(b) are at least the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence (which is eighteen (18) years of age in most states, but nineteen (19) years of age in Nebraska and Alabama, and twenty-one (21) years of age in Mississippi)

(c) own a merchant business that meets the classifications, definitions and parameters of a small business under the rules and regulations of the U.S. Small Business Administration, as described here: https://www.state.gov/what-is-a-small-business.

To enter the promotion, during the promotion period, visit the promotion website at www.mybigambition.com or by scanning a direct link QR Code found on signage at industry or sponsored events, collateral materials such as brochures and double-sided cards distributed at the aforementioned events, and other advertising promoting the promotion. The promotion website will contain a description of the promotion and the official entry form. Each individual will be asked to submit an official entry form, which may include, among other things, their full name, business name, and business email as prompted, and may include optional information such as their business address and website URL. Additionally, individuals must write a thoughtful essay, with a minimum of two hundred (200) words, on why their business deserves to win the Small Business, Big Ambition ™ Contest prize package (a “Submission”). For purposes of this promotion, a submission is an essay that follows the technical, creative, and legal requirements disclosed on the promotion website and elsewhere in these Official Rules.

• Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) awarded in the form of a check, online payment (via invoice), Visa, American Express, or equivalent form of merchant pre-paid gift card (form of payment selected by Sponsors in their sole discretion), to invest in the growth and community enrichment of the winner’s business. To the extent the prize is awarded in the form of a gift card, gift cards are subject to the terms and conditions set forth on the gift card and any terms provided by the issuer applicable hereto.
• Up to three (3) consultations in person or virtually based on the winner’s preference and availability, providing business operation and strategic planning, business to business coaching, and mentorship to guide business growth, by a Business Access Advisor, payments representative from U.S. Bank or business coach from U.S. Bank.
• Creative production inclusive of a thirty (30)-second promotional video and professional photography of the merchant’s store, customer amenities and/or products or services available, including up to eight (8) hours of onsite production to include video and photography and post-production required to deliver an approved version of the content.
• Point of sale (POS) equipment upgrade and installation, as determined in Sponsors’ sole and absolute discretion.

Selection of a potential prize winner is at the sole discretion of Sponsors. Within a reasonable time after the end of the Promotion Period, each Submission will be reviewed by a team of judges (the “Judges”) assembled by Sponsors, who will review and judge all eligible Submissions based on the following judging criteria (collectively, the “Judging Criteria”):

• 33.33% adherence to topic;
• 33.33% originality; and​
• 33.33% persuasiveness.

Based on the total score the Judges assign to each Submission using the Judging Criteria, three (3) winning Submissions will be ultimately selected by the Judges and each individual who submitted a selected Submission will be potential winners, subject to confirmation that the potential winners have met the eligibility requirements and complied with these Official Rules. If there is a tie after the Judges apply the Judging Criteria, Sponsors will bring in a tie breaking Judge to apply the same Judging Criteria to break the tie and determine the winner.