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eBay Invests Big in Small Businesses

San Jose, Calif.—October 8, 2009— eBay, the world’s largest online marketplace, today 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. An additional 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 which represent the diverse base of more than 25 million eBay sellers:

• First-time Sellers on eBay: Tori Nichel, a first-time eBay seller who will use the site as a way to establish an e-commerce 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
• U.S. 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

“eBay presents a wonderful opportunity for a small business owner like me to become locally accessible to customers throughout the world,” said Tori Nichel, women’s fashion designer and winner of the eBay Sellers Challenge for a first-time seller. “As I work to bring my boutique online, this grant will go a long way in helping me achieve my goals of growing my customer base and reaching a more diverse group of consumers.”

Runners up in each category include:

• First-time Sellers on eBay: Sam Widman, Albany, Ga.
• Part-time Sellers on eBay: Silas Martine and family, Lakewood, Calif.
• Full-time Sellers on eBay: John Eastman, Wells, Me.
• U.S. Veterans and Service Members: Jesse Carmona, Whittier, Calif.

“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.”

“It’s encouraging to see companies like eBay work to inspire individuals from all walks of life to realize their entrepreneurial calling,” said Thom Ruhe, director of entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation. “Indeed, entrepreneurship is central to the economic welfare of the United States. We are proud to work in partnership with organizations like eBay that share our commitment to entrepreneurship.”

More information about the eBay Sellers Challenge and the winners, along with resources, tips and advice for starting and growing a small business online can be found at the Sellers Challenge Web site at sellerschallenge.ebay.com.

About eBay
Founded in 1995, eBay Inc. connects hundreds of millions of people around the world every day, empowering them to explore new opportunities and innovate together. eBay Inc. does this by providing the Internet platforms of choice for global commerce, payments and communications. Since its inception, eBay Inc. has expanded to include some of the strongest brands in the world, including eBay, PayPal, Skype, StubHub, Shopping.com and others. eBay Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, Calif.

About the Kauffman Foundation
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonpartisan foundation that works with partners to advance entrepreneurship in America and improve the education of children and youth. Founded by late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Foundation is based in Kansas City, Mo. More information, visit www.kauffman.org, and follow the Foundation on www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn.