50 U.S. eBay sellers will each receive a
$10,000 grant to boost their
businesses, plus technology to fuel growth
SAN
JOSE, Calif., April 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, eBay is launching
its 5th annual Up & Running Grants program — a series of annual
grants that reward 50 U.S. eBay sellers with tools and resources to
grow their small businesses. In addition to a $10,000 reward, eBay is offering recipients a
stipend worth $500 each, which
sellers can use to equip themselves with essential office
technology from eBay Refurbished and continued education
support.
Now in its 5th year, eBay's Up & Running Grants program
demonstrates the company's ongoing commitment to entrepreneurial
success on its platform. With the grants, small businesses are able
to invest in physical and digital store improvements, new equipment
and inventory, hiring, training, marketing and more. A survey of
last year's awardees reveals that 90% found the grant extremely or
very helpful, and 90% also felt more confident about the future of
their businesses. Further, 10% of recipients say they leveraged the
funds to increase employee wages.
"Since eBay's inception nearly 30 years ago, supporting our
sellers and their business growth has always been a central
priority. We are constantly looking for ways to ensure that
entrepreneurs on our marketplace have the capital, resources and
community they need, in order to truly thrive," said Dawn Block, VP, U.S. General Manager at eBay.
"That is why we created the Up & Running Grants program in
2020, and today, we are proud to continue this effort as an ongoing
investment in every seller's success."
eBay is partnering with Hello Alice, a free, multichannel
platform that helps businesses launch and grow, to administer the
grants program and provide access to mentorship and resources to
all sellers who apply, whether they ultimately receive a grant or
not.
"Grant programs are one of the most vital resources for all
small business owners who encounter challenges when trying to
secure capital or credit for business growth," said Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and President of
Hello Alice. "We are honored at Hello Alice to provide grants
directly from our platform and partner with leading companies on
their own grant programs, which help small businesses thrive.
eBay's Up & Running Grants Program is a shining example of the
good that can come from larger organizations supporting small
business and we're excited to partner with them once again,
bringing more equitable access to capital to the U.S."
Apply for an Up & Running Grant
Now through
Friday, June 7, 2024 at 6pm ET, eBay small business sellers in the U.S.
are encouraged to apply for an Up & Running Grant. Sellers will
be asked to share details of their small business and how they plan
to use the grant to accelerate their growth. eBay is looking to
identify sellers who represent a diverse range of backgrounds,
bring their unique experiences and inventory to the marketplace,
and are committed to their communities and the eBay ecosystem. To
apply or learn more about eligibility requirements, sellers can
visit ebay.helloalice.com.
Testimonials from Previous Recipients:
- Purse-N-All Style (2022): "You gave us hope (and
revenue) in a time that we needed it most. I was able, this year,
to hire a teammate and put $20K in
inventory for the first time. You gave me a real hand-up. Thank
you!"
- Easetrade LLC (2023): "Over the past year, we've
experienced a staggering 405% increase in our operations and reach.
A milestone we only dreamed of achieving so quickly. This
remarkable expansion has been significantly propelled by the eBay
Up & Running Grant."
About eBay
eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global
commerce leader that connects people and builds communities to
create economic opportunity for all. Our technology empowers
millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the
world, providing everyone the opportunity to grow and thrive.
Founded in 1995 in San Jose,
California, eBay is one of the world's largest and most
vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique
selection. In 2023, eBay enabled more than $73 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more
information about the company and its global portfolio of online
brands, visit www.ebayinc.com
About Hello Alice
Hello Alice is a financial
technology serving more than 1.5 million small business owners in
all fifty states. Hello Alice is committed to equitable access to
capital and to supporting any entrepreneur with a good idea,
especially those in the New Majority. Hello Alice offers funding,
education, tools, and curated opportunities. Working with
enterprise business services, ecosystem partners, affiliates, and
government agencies, Hello Alice provides its growing community
with everything they need to grow their businesses. To learn more,
visit www.helloalice.com, as well as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram,
and Facebook.
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SOURCE eBay Inc.