The useful question is what changes for users, developers or buyers, and whether the announcement stays industry context or becomes something people can actually use.

eBay named its 2025 Up & Running grantees, awarding 50 sellers $10,000 each in cash, training, and mentorship, alongside a $500 stipend for office technology from eBay Refurbished. Tanya Mahrous and Toby Tobias, who left corporate careers to found Second Life Thrift Store, a nonprofit supporting animal rescue, were among the recipients recognized at eBay Open. The program also expanded to the U.K., where 25 grantees were announced, reflecting eBay’s commitment to fostering small business growth through financial support and resources.

eBay’s Small Business Advocacy Network (SBAN) enabled sellers to engage with policymakers, including meetings with European Parliament and Commission officials in Brussels to discuss cross-border commerce regulations. In 2025, SBAN hosted 378 Seller Circle meetings across 70 U.S. chapters, attended by over 3,750 sellers—a 45% increase in meetings and 87% rise in attendance compared to 2024. These gatherings provide practical advice and foster collaboration among sellers, helping them scale their businesses and build confidence.

eBay launched AI Activate in 2025, a program developed with OpenAI to provide up to 10,000 U.K. small businesses with free access to ChatGPT Enterprise and custom GPT tools for 12 months, along with tailored training. The initiative focuses on automating administrative tasks, improving listings, and analyzing sales data. Training sessions are currently virtual, with in-person sessions planned for 2026. eBay also released its Digital Density in Europe Report, showing how the platform supports small business growth in economically challenged or rural regions, leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs.

eBay for Charity raised over $198 million in 2025, bringing its total to $1.7 billion since the program’s inception. Major charity auctions, including one for the V Foundation for Cancer Research featuring Adam Sandler and another for Homes for Our Troops with items from Seth Meyers and Jennifer Aniston, contributed to the record fundraising. The eBay Foundation also granted nearly $17 million to nonprofits advancing inclusive entrepreneurship, emphasizing trust-based philanthropy and community partnerships to support small business growth and resilience.