Ebay ‘Up & Running’ Grants Program Awards $500K to SMB Sellers

For the fifth year, Ebay is awarding $500,000 to small businesses with its Up & Running Grants program. The company will select 50 U.S.-based Ebay sellers that will each receive $10,000 grants to pay for tools and resources to grow their small businesses. Ebay also is offering each recipient $500 stipends that sellers can use to purchase educational courses and office technology through Ebay Refurbished.

Ebay wants to support sellers from diverse backgrounds that are “committed to their communities and the Ebay ecosystem,” according to a company release. Recipients can use the funds to invest in their digital and physical storefronts, purchase new equipment and inventory, and even to support employee hiring and training.

“Since eBay’s inception nearly 30 years ago, supporting our sellers and their business growth has always been a central priority,” said Dawn Block, VP, U.S. General Manager at Ebay in a statement. “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. 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.”

Now through June 7, Ebay sellers can apply for the grant by sharing how they plan to use the money to accelerate their growth. The Up & Running Grants platform is powered by Hello Alice, which also will give all applicants access to mentorship and resources. 

A representative from Purse-N-All Style, which received a grant in 2022, noted that the financial support allowed the company to hire a new team member and invest $20,000 in new inventory, a first for the business. Additionally, 2023 recipient Easetrade LLC noted that the grant “propelled” its 405% boost in operations and reach.