- Online marketplace announces latest Business Roadshow with opportunities for mentoring and funding
- Support comes as a survey of eBay’s UK sellers show a third (33%) started their online business to supplement their existing income
- Experts from eBay will deliver learning sessions and 1-2-1 advice at La Mon Hotel and Country Club on 2nd February
Small businesses in Northern Ireland will be able to tap into support, grants and advice to help scale from online marketplace eBay at its Business Roadshow in Belfast this February.
The roadshow will be held at La Mon Hotel and Country Club, between 10am and 6pm on Thursday 2nd February. It will feature a full-day packed agenda of eBay experts, local entrepreneurs and special guests from Small Business Britain, Sustainable Pathways and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Sessions will include tips on how to start and scale on eBay; sustainability basics for small businesses; and a panel of eBay’s successful sellers offering advice for business growth.
Roadshow attendees will be able to apply for cash grants and support packages to boost their businesses. Each winner will also get a year of 1-2-1 mentoring with an eBay ambassador to help them accelerate growth.
Grants worth a total of £280,000 have already been awarded to more than 130 small businesses across the UK in 2022.
Small businesses can sign up to attend the event here.
The latest Roadshow comes as eBay’s Global Small and Medium Business (SMB) Report revealed how its British sellers are using eBay to try to navigate the cost-of-business crisis. The report found that a third (33%) of its UK sellers said they started their online business because they wanted to supplement their existing income, and more than a quarter (28%) had used income from the site to help them pay a bill or pay off debt.
Separate research from eBay[1] showed that 47% of Northern Irish small businesses are concerned about the future of their business, with 84% saying that they would support greater access to capital or finance. More than 65% agreed that their business cashflow is unpredictable.
Murray Lambell, General Manager, eBay UK said: “The small and micro business community in Northern Ireland is on the up, with Belfast the hub for many business owners looking to scale. However, faced with continued challenges as costs rise across the UK, support from fellow business owners and industry experts are crucial to help them both survive and thrive.
“We know what a difference it can make to have the right encouragement, support and empowerment to turn a passion into a thriving business. We’re excited to bring eBay’s Business Roadshow to Belfast to offer invaluable mentoring and guidance to business owners hoping to grow while navigating current political challenges.”
Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain added: “As this data shows, small businesses all across the UK are facing really challenging times at the moment, so it’s more important than ever to make sure they receive the right support to unlock their potential. Small firms have a huge role to play in supporting the prosperity of local communities and driving growth and recovery across Britain as a whole. There’s a lot of opportunity for the government, private sector and large businesses to work together to empower small businesses to succeed.
“We’re proud to work alongside eBay to celebrate the best of Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurial spirit at the Belfast Roadshow. We’ve already seen how invaluable the grants and support packages have been to small businesses elsewhere in the country. I’d really encourage Belfast businesses to tap into that support and advice available to power forward their growth.”
