eBay Announces Fifth Annual Up & Running Grants Recipients

eBay awards $500,000 and technology stipends to boost economic success for 50 U.S. sellers

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- eBay Inc. today announced the recipients of its fifth annual Up & Running Grants, a program established in 2020 to further eBay's mission of creating economic opportunity for all and investing in small business growth.

This year, eBay selected 50 U.S. sellers to each receive $10,000, plus training and mentorship, to help strengthen and grow their businesses. In addition to these grants, finalists will also receive a $500 stipend to equip themselves with essential business technology and tools from eBay Refurbished.

eBay received its largest and most diverse pool of Up & Running applicants to date, with over 18,000 submissions. Additionally, this year's candidates included 19% more early-stage entrepreneurs compared to last year -- emphasizing eBay's commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and small businesses.

"Entrepreneurship is at the heart of eBay. We have always been committed to empowering small business owners and providing the tools they need to be successful," said Dawn Block, VP & GM, U.S. Market & Global Selling, eBay, eBay U.S. "We are honored and excited to be a part of the growth journey for this year's Up & Running Grants recipients, and cannot wait to see how they continue to pursue their business goals."

Meet eBay's Class of 2024 Up & Running Grantees:

• Hawken Carlton, Carlton Carnivores, Platteville, CO
• Andrew Gunthorp, B&B Auto Parts, LaGrange, IN
• Taylor Fierro, Lethal Performance, Ridgewood, NJ
• Anthony Petitti, Verified Sneaks, Ocala, FL
• Kathryn Bucklin, 6bucks, Avondale, AZ
• Rickie Miller, Kriss Kross Wigs, Long Beach, CA
• Caitlin Nugent, Unaparts Inc, Bethany, CT
• Jennifer LaValle, Peg Hunted Treasures, Jefferson, GA
• Paula Johnson, Theroadnottaken1, Marshalltown, IA
• Danielle Merk, Fronitier Legacy LLC, Maryville, IL
• Dee Sweeney, Pink Streak Market, Alexandria, KY
• Christopher II Clegg, Cleggsclassics, Herculaneum, MO
• Amanda Rowland, KrazyKatCollections, Charlotte, NC
• Iuliana Jaloba, Ridalshop LLC, Matthews, NC
• Kimberly Blake, Sandwood Selections, Grand Forks, ND
• Kaylie Helwig, ThriftyMoves, Akron, OH
• Patricia Stephens, Trash_Pandas_Imporium, Midwest City, OK
• Tara Stine, Fuzzy Loops, York, PA
• Devon Wallis, Seek Optics, Wilkes-Barre, PA
• Tracey Inventor, Treasures4u2000, Ardmore, PA
• Adriana Rebicki Bamvakiades, ARBA Shop, The Woodlands, TX
• Gladis Diaz, Shinning Star X's Boutique, Houston, TX
• James Idell, Maridells, Land O' Lakes, FL
• Walter Roberts, The Buying Spot, Macon, GA
• Jonathan Copeland, Vino Club Vintage, DeSoto, TX
• Eduard Gutierrez, BoosterBuddyTCG, Galveston, TX
• Craig Kraut, Hype Stew Sneakers LLC, Warren, MI
• Kyung Kye, LikeNewGizmos, Columbia Heights, MN
• Yelena Roslaya, Art Play Design, Vancouver, WA
• Janeen Wagner, Stellarsell57, Warden, WA
• Peyton Williams, Peywill68, Miami, FL
• Sergey Polukhin, Selforfun, Myrtle Beach, SC
• Kevin Ludwig, South4thStreet, Central Point, OR
• Kayne Weaver, SoDak Surplus, North Sioux City, SD
• Habib Ur-Rehman, AbdAllahemart.Inc, Elk Grove , CA
• Melissa Philbrook, Melissa Philbrook Art, Kelso, WA
• Orlando Fernandez, Prime Medical Express, Miami, FL
• Katie Herres, Foragers Path, New London, WI
• Christopher Alas, Shop Uniquely, Port Charlotte, FL
• Enrique Gonzales, 1Swing Sports, Rowlett, TX
• Michael Lytle, Mike's Antiques Collectibles n More, Weirton, WV
• Randall Beatty, Drake279, Steens, MS
• Isaac Allen, Allen Arbitrage, Augusta, ME
• Andrew Fuke, Mad Finds Shop, Lyndhurst, OH
• Tony Vo, TheTvoShop, Newark, CA
• Alex Grecu, ACF Motorsports, Gilbert, AZ
• Simon Domfeh, f2 GROUP LLC, Houston, TX
• Jeremy Noble, Thermal Acquisitions, Jackson, KY
• Shoute Huang, Sealingtek Inc, Walnut, CA
• Virginia Charles, Vrod's Closet, Pearland, TX

See the 2024 winners in this video HERE.

eBay's support of small business

eBay's small businesses consistently report that eBay provides economic opportunity and empowerment. This year saw a 162% increase in Up & Running Grant applications across a diverse range of small business sellers, underscoring eBay's mission to grow its small businesses. Since 2020, Up & Running Grant recipients – ranging from collectibles, art and electronics – have leveraged grant funds to invest in crucial areas of their businesses, to build their business and foster growth.

About the Up & Running Grants Program

Since its introduction in 2020, eBay's annual Up & Running Grants program has received more than 60,000 applications from entrepreneurs sharing details of their businesses ambitions and growth goals. Following a comprehensive review, 50 sellers are chosen annually to each receive $10,000 in cash, direct training, Q&A sessions and mentorship from eBay. This year, eBay is also offering recipients a stipend worth $500 each, which sellers can use to equip themselves with essential office technology from eBay Refurbished. All applicants of the Up & Running Grants program are offered access to mentorship and resources on Hello Alice, a free, multichannel platform that helps businesses launch and grow.

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.