Small businesses are the backbone of local economies. They create jobs, anchor communities, and prove every day that profit and purpose don't have to be at odds. Yet, they're often the least resourced to grow.
Global Citizen and PayPal created the Small Business Impact Awards for exactly that reason. Now in its second year, the program is expanding from five winners to fifteen and will recognize entrepreneurs across North America, Latin America, and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) who are building something that matters beyond their bottom line.
Each winner receives $20,000 in cash, along with mentorship and technical support to help them go further. Last year's winners tackled sustainable design, clean mobility, food systems, menstrual health, and wildfire prevention. The throughline? Entrepreneurs who saw a problem in their community and decided to do something about it.
"Ending extreme poverty requires tackling the systems that hold people back – and small businesses are among the most powerful levers we have. At Global Citizen, we believe that when the entrepreneurs who run these small businesses thrive, entire communities follow. Partnering with PayPal for a second year on the Small Business Impact Awards allows us to amplify that impact at scale, and we're energized by what's possible." - Liza Henshaw, President of Global Citizen.
"Small businesses are the backbone of the global economy, and at PayPal, we are helping to level the playing field by arming them with the skills and systems to compete in these rapidly evolving payments environment," said Amy Bonitatibus, Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer at PayPal. "The Small Business Impact Awards, in partnership with Global Citizen, celebrate entrepreneurs strengthening communities around the world – and ensures they have the tools, training, and access to keep innovating."
The 2025 Global Citizen PayPal Small Business Impact Awards winners Somnath Ray, CEO & Co-Founder, CLIP, Kunjpreet Arora, CEO, Angirus, Zizipho Ntobongwana, CEO, Sheba Feminine, Franco Rodriguez Viau, CEO & Co-Founder, Satellites on Fire and Filip Lundin, CEO & Founder, Sopköket AB pose at Global Citizen NOW: Johannesburg on November 21, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. | Photo by Darren Arthur/Getty Images for Global Citizen.
Who should apply?
If you're the owner or founder of a small business with:
- Under 50 employees or under $1M in annual revenue
- Operating for at least three years
- Actively contributing to its community
Please note that franchises and chain-affiliated businesses are not eligible. This program is for independent, locally rooted enterprises.
If you know someone who might be eligible, share this with them.
Deadline: July 19, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET. Applications are open now.
Visit the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards page for full eligibility details or contact media@globalcitizen.org.
Terms and Conditions apply.