eBay.com have announced the recipients of the third annual Up & Running Grant program, which was created in partnership with Hello Alice to support US. small businesses with the capital and resources they need to scale, grow and thrive online.
In April 2020 eBay announced Up & Running, a $100 million small business accelerator program to address the devastating impacts of COVID-19 to small, local retail businesses. Built on eBay’s long-standing commitment to “enabling economic opportunity for all,” the program sought to help small businesses without an e-commerce presence transition to online selling.
Drawn from nearly 15,000 submissions, this year’s winners represent 23 states and multiple categories, ranging from a bridal boutique in California to an auto parts shop in Ohio, and a sneakers store in Texas to a trading cards collector in Florida.
This year’s recipients represent 23 different states across the U.S. As business owners, 60% are minority-owned; 52% are women; 22% have a disability; 10% identify as LGBTQ+; and almost 30% are veterans or have a military affiliation.
Small business is the heartbeat of eBay, and we’re inspired every day by the millions of entrepreneurs whose passion, innovation and ambition drive one of the most trusted and richly stocked marketplaces in the world. What we continue to hear from small business owners is that access to capital, to a community, and to business development resources are vital to their growth – and we will continue to invest in tools, advocacy and programs like the Up & Running Grant to enable their success and unlock their potential.
– Adam Ireland, GM and VP, eBay.com
A survey of 2020-2021 grant recipients revealed that the program provided them with critical support, with 91% of businesses citing the grant “extremely or very” helpful to their business, and an overwhelming 94% confident that their doors would remain open thanks to eBay. Recipients span categories like fashion, handbags, electronics, comics, collectibles, sports equipment, motors and more.
You can see the full list of 2022 eBay Up & Running Grant award winners here.
