// Ebay partners with Black Girl Fest to create more equitable opportunities for black women ecommerce sellers
// Ebay said that searches for “black business” were up by 40%
Ebay has teamed up with a platform dedicated to black women, girls, and non-binary people, to “better understand” the needs of black entrepreneurs in the UK.
The online giant said it wants to create more equitable opportunities for black women ecommerce sellers with its partnership with Black Girl Fest (BGF).
Ebay said that searches for “black business” were up by 40% compared to the same period this time last year.
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However, black business owners, especially black women founders, typically find it harder to access the right support, visibility and funding required to grow their businesses.
In addition to this, multi-ethnic workers are almost four times more likely than white respondents to want to start a business, with the entrepreneurial approach being the highest among black respondents.
The year-long partnership will see Ebay support the BGF Founders Club with a training programme to equip its product-focused entrepreneurs with the right tools, skills and knowledge to sell effectively on Ebay (the BGF x Ebay Seller Academy Programme).
Ebay is investing in the BGF programme through training, fee reduction and vital grants, giving programme participants the opportunity to pitch for funding to support their business growth and development.
Following a successful pilot, Ebay and BGF are now looking ahead to the second round of the programme, which will start this spring. The aim is to empower up to 100 Black women-led ecommerce businesses through the training programme this year.
“It is clear that eBay UK can do more to drive equity for black business owners across the UK,” Ebay UK general manager, Murray Lambell said.
“We are committed to challenging the exclusion of black communities from economic opportunity by equipping them with the tools and support needed to make a living by trading on Ebay.
“Real change does not happen overnight and our partnership with BGF is an exciting step on the journey to do better and drive inclusive entrepreneurship.”
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