eBay Awards $120,000 in Grants to Encourage Online Entrepreneurship

[eBayNews]

eBay announced the four entrepreneurs who were selected as winners of the eBay Sellers Challenge, a contest designed to spark the entrepreneurial spirit among eBay sellers. These entrepreneurs have each been awarded $25,000 from eBay to bring their business plans to life, and will also receive free marketing advice and support from the company. Four runners up were also awarded $5,000 each to pursue their plans for starting or growing a business on eBay.

Sponsored jointly with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the world's largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship, the eBay Sellers Challenge asked existing and aspiring eBay sellers to submit their best ideas for growing their presence in the online marketplace. Following a business plan review by the Kauffman Foundation, eBay members selected the winners across four categories.

First-time Sellers on eBay: Tori Nichel, a first-time eBay seller who will use the site as a way to establish an ecommerce presence for her growing Brooklyn-based fashion apparel business.

Part-time Sellers on eBay: Ryan Pugh, a longtime eBay member who recently decided to make her Las Vegas-based eBay business a full-time job, selling products she believes help people to "live clean."

Full-time Sellers on eBay: Janell Anderson-Ehrke, a full-time eBay seller who helps low-income artisans and micro-entrepreneurs in Nebraska to connect with a community of buyers on eBay.

US Veterans and Service Members: Thomas Costello, a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and Chicago-based eBay seller who uses eBay to take advantage of a growing market for used computer equipment.

Runners up in each category include: Sam Widman of Georgia (First-time Sellers on eBay); Silas Martine and family of California (Part-time Sellers on eBay); John Eastman of Maine (Full-time Sellers on eBay); and Jesse Carmona of California (U.S. Veterans and Service Members).

"Entrepreneurial spirit is deeply embedded in eBay's history and culture, which is why we're so committed to supporting emerging entrepreneurs with the tools they need to build and grow a successful business," said Lorrie Norrington, president of eBay Marketplaces. "The passion, dedication and hard work of the exceptional sellers who participated in the Challenge truly embody this entrepreneurial spirit. We are proud to recognize and support their ventures, and hope their success encourages other would-be entrepreneurs to take the steps towards starting their own businesses."