eBay has unveiled details of the funding and grants available to small businesses through its first ever physical regional roadshow and investment programme in the UK.
Small businesses attending each of the 12 regional Roadshows will be exclusively invited to apply for grants and support packages from eBay, the total value of which amounts to £1m. This will be made up of two parts, with up to £250,000 available as grants, and up to £750,000 available as ‘Start and Scale Packages’ to support small businesses to set up and grow through eBay. Each winner will also get one-to-one mentoring with an eBay ambassador, over the course of one year, to help them accelerate growth.
The grants and support packages form a key part of eBay’s Business Roadshow, the 12-month physical regional roadshow and investment programme which will see eBay turn up at the doorsteps of small businesses across the country, helping would-be and fledgling entrepreneurs to both start up and scale up their online businesses.
Winners will be selected following each of eBay’s twelve regional Roadshow events, chosen by a panel of expert judges, including representatives from Small Business Britain and the Chambers of Commerce. As well as each regional winner, eBay will also select a ‘winner of winners’ at the end of the Roadshow, announced at a celebration ceremony in Parliament.
Funds will be allocated to businesses who have a demonstrable need for the funds, as well as a clear plan for how they plan to use the money. Successful businesses will also need to show that their enterprise is having a positive social impact, whether through sustainable business practices or supporting their local community.
eBay has partnered with both Small Business Britain and local British Chambers of Commerce to deliver the eBay Business Roadshow, alongside business organisations and experts specific to each region who can provide hyperlocal advice. Ongoing access to networking, skills and training via its online learning tool, eBay Academy, will also be provided throughout.
Murray Lambell, General Manager, eBay UK, explains: “With all the challenges small businesses have been through over the past two years, it’s more important than ever that we support them to not only survive, but thrive. A large part of addressing these challenges is providing more funding and investment, which is why we’re so pleased to announce the full details of the grants and packages available – exclusively to those attending. After a successful launch at Sheffield’s City Hall last month, I can’t wait to meet many more of the country’s most inspiring small businesses and to see the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit in full swing.�
Small businesses interested in applying for funding and support can find out more here: eBay’s Business Roadshow will next head to The Lowry, Media City, Salford on 27 – 28th May. In partnership with Small Business Britain and the British Chambers of Commerce, the event will include speeches from Murray Lambell, General Manager at eBay, and Michelle Ovens, founder of Small Business Britain before a packed afternoon of informative sessions and networking for businesses in the region.
After Salford, eBay will next be heading to:
- Newcastle: 9th June
- Glasgow: 16th June
- Norwich: 1st August
- Leicester: 14th July
- Reading: 28th July
- Southend-on-Sea: 8th September
- Plymouth: 13th October
- Cardiff: 17th November
- Bristol: 12th January
- Belfast: 2nd February
