Up & Running
An accelerator program for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 to start selling online.
Background
Small businesses are the foundation of the U.S. economy and local communities. They make up 99% of U.S. businesses, employ 48% of our workforce, and 68% of money spent locally is put back into the same community. Small businesses have also always powered eBay. So when COVID-19 forced them to close their doors, eBay wanted to help brick-and-mortars everywhere start selling online.
What we did
Up & Running: An accelerator program that committed up to $100 million to help small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic transition to selling on eBay. The program was named, branded, and launched in less than two weeks, recognizing the urgency with which shuttered small businesses needed help. Up & Running was launched as a comms-led integrated campaign across earned, owned, and paid channels.
Social Output
Customized Gifs
“eBay’s $100 Million Lifeline for Small Businesses.”
Politico
The Reaction
55%
increase in applications for new eBay seller stores
“Helping Business Pivot… And Creating New Customers In The Process.”
Forbes
“This is How the Amazon Juggernaut Will Finally Be Stopped.”
The Motley Fool
10K+
businesses enrolled in the program, inspired by eBay’s efforts and outreach in Up & Running
25
additional eBay markets have adapted Up & Running around the world to support small businesses