eBay UK Partners with Black Girl Fest to Expand Opportunities For Black Female eCommerce Founders in 2022

eBay UK launched a partnership with Black Girl Fest (BGF) to expand opportunities for Black women eCommerce sellers and to better understand the needs of Black entrepreneurs in the UK.

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Data from eBay UK shows a 40% increase in searches for ‘Black business’ over this time last year.

Black business owners, especially Black women founders, typically find it more difficult to access the right support, visibility, and funding they need to grow their businesses.

In addition, 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.

A growing number of Black entrepreneurs are starting eCommerce businesses, especially in the hair, beauty, and fashion industries. This is why eBay UK, with its 20 million customers, plays an invaluable role in creating equity for Black entrepreneurs.

BGF x eBay Seller Academy Program

The year-long collaboration will see eBay UK support the BGF Founders Club with a training program to equip its product-focused entrepreneurs with the right tools, skills and knowledge to sell effectively on eBay (the BGF x eBay Seller Academy Program).

eBay is investing in the BGF program through training, fee reduction and vital grants, giving program 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 program, which will start this Spring. The aim is to empower more than 100 Black women-led eCommerce businesses through the training program this year.

“It is clear that eBay UK can do more to drive equity for Black business owners across the UK. 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.”

Murray Lambell, General Manager, eBay UK

“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,” added Lambell.

BGF, which originally launched as a festival, has evolved into a platform dedicated to providing Black women, girls and non-binary people with the right access, learning and development to create opportunities for them to succeed.

“eBay wants to be a part of building a more inclusive, equitable and ultimately more sustainable economy and the partnership with Black Girl Fest is focused on doing exactly that.”

Nicole Crentsil, CEO, Black Girl Fest

“We can make an impact on the unbalanced startup ecosystem by equipping Black women founders with the tools, funding and access to progress.”

“Our network of entrepreneurs is in need of support to overcome the many barriers they face including lower access to capital, skills development and more which eBay has the ability to support.”

“Its technical experience in growing an eCommerce business is invaluable to our network of founders selling their products,” added Crentsil.

Recent graduate from the program, Lola Atobele from Black Chibis that sells toys and collectibles, found the program to be more than what she expected.

“I’ve always had an eBay account but to finally be able to sell my products because of the program was very exciting. The 1-to-1 support was the best part as I was shown different tips and tricks. Now I feel like I know more than people who have been selling on eBay for years,” Atobele explained.

Those interested in being part of the BGF x eBay Seller Academy program can find out more and apply www.blackgirlfest.com/seller-academy

This partnership follows the launch of eBay for Change, which supports the growth of social enterprises; ensuring eBay customers can buy desirable products from businesses that do good and create change with their profits.

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