アワードについて

PayPal と Global Citizen は、コマースの常識をアップデートしながら、社会や環境にポジティブな影響を生み出しているスモールビジネスを称えるためにタッグを組みました。

Global Citizen と PayPal 「Small Business Impact Award」は、起業家や小規模ビジネスのオーナーを讃えるために設立されました。私たちが探しているのは、社会や環境に前向きな影響をもたらす製品・サービス・ビジネスモデルを生み出した、スモールビジネスやソーシャルエンタープライズの革新的なリーダーたちです。

このアワード・プラットフォームでは、こうしたコミュニティのリーダーに25,000米ドルの賞金を提供し、さらにデータとインサイト、コマースと決済の高度な専門家へのアクセス、そしてマーケティング／ブランド施策の展開を通じて、取り組みと影響を加速させるつながりを用意しました。

2025年の受賞者を紹介

Somnath Ray

CEO & 共同創業者 | CLIP

Som Ray は、MIT TechReview でトップ・イノベーターとして評価されたデザインテクノロジストであり、連続起業家です。20年以上の経験を持ち、コンシューマー向けのソフトウェア／ハードウェアを開発し、インド初のEVオートリキシャのスタートアップを立ち上げ、低価格車いすでTR35を受賞しました。ブルックリン拠点のクリーンモビリティスタートアップ CLIP のCEOとして、手頃なe-bikeテックで都市の移動をサステナブルに変えています。

CLIPについて

CLIP のミッションは、気候変動に立ち向かうためにe-bikeテクノロジーへのアクセスを誰にでも開くこと。ブルックリン発のこのスタートアップは、工具も事前取り付けも不要で、どんな自転車でもe-bikeにアップグレードできる世界初・唯一のPlug & Playデバイスをローンチしました。CLIP は一般的なe-bikeの平均価格より4倍安く、47か国で特許を取得しています。

画期的なCLIPのローンチ後、私たちは新たなプロダクトBOLTのパイロットを開始しました。BOLTは新興国向けに設計された、より手頃なラインです。BOLTは100ドルで販売され、平均的なe-bikeの20分の1の価格。すでに世界で流通している20億台の自転車を即座に電動化でき、世界のCO2排出量を最大5%削減できる可能性があります。

Kunjpreet Arora

CEO | Angirus

Kunjpreet Arora は、従来の建材に代わるサステナブルな選択肢をつくる気候テックスタートアップ Angirus の共同創業者兼CEOです。土木工学を学び、IIM Indoreの卒業生でもあるKunjpreetは、実用的でスケール可能なイノベーションで、構造的な環境課題を解決することに情熱を注いでいます。Forbes Asia、TiE Global、Netflix & インド政府、Clinton Global Initiative、World Economic Forum などからも注目されています。

ANGIRUSについて

Angirus は、プラスチックと建設廃棄物を Wricks®へと生まれ変わらせる気候テックスタートアップです。Wricks®は、セメントも焼成も過剰な水も使わずに作られる高強度レンガ。革新的で特許取得済みのプロセスにより、耐久性・防水性・断熱性に優れた建材を生み出しながら、CO₂排出と埋立廃棄物を減らします。マイクロ製造ユニットによる分散型生産で地域の起業家を後押しし、グリーン雇用を生み、サステナブル建築を手に取りやすい価格で実現します。すでに10万個以上のWricks®が導入されており、循環型のソリューションが本物の環境・社会インパクトにつながることを証明しています。

Franco Rodriguez Viau

CEO & 共同創業者 | Satellites on Fire

Franco Rodríguez Viau は、テクノロジーで世界の環境インパクトを生み出すアルゼンチンの起業家です。15歳でインクルージョンを促進する車いすレースゲームを制作。16歳で Satellites on Fire を共同創業し、19か国・5,600万ヘクタールを守る山火事アラートシステムを構築、ここ数か月で400件以上の山火事を防いできました。MIT Innovators Under 35 にも選出され、MITや国連から資金を調達。Techstarsや、Reddit共同創業者Alexis Ohanianによる776 Fellowshipにも参加しています。Richard BransonやTim Draperらともつながりながら、テクノロジー×サステナビリティの最前線でイノベーションを前進させ続けています。

SATELLITES ON FIREについて

Satellites on Fire は、AIを活用した山火事の早期警戒システムです。アルゼンチンの壊滅的な火災を目の当たりにしたFranco、Joaquín、Ulisesが共同創業しました。5分ごとの衛星画像、監視塔カメラ、予報、独自AIを統合し、NASAより35分早く火災を検知します。断片的、またはハードウェア依存の重たいシステムとは違い、速くて正確なアラートを届けます。19か国で運用し、5,600万ヘクタール以上を保護。直近四半期だけで400件の山火事を防ぎました。MIT、Techstars、国連グリーン気候基金のトップ気候テックアクセラレーター、そしてReddit創業者らから総額85万ドルの支援を受け、火災が広がる前に食い止め、世界中の脆弱なコミュニティと生態系を守ることをミッションにしています。

Zizipho Ntobongwana

CEO | Sheba Feminine

Zizipho は、サステナビリティ、テクノロジー、教育が交わる場所で、新しい物語とソリューションをつくる月経ヘルスのイノベーターです。Sheba Feminine の創業者兼CEOとして、サステナブルな製品開発と月経エクイティに注力。環境にやさしい月経用品をつくるだけでなく、「Pay for a Pal’s Pads」のようなコミュニティプログラムを率い、教育と配布を通じて生理の貧困に取り組んでいます。

SHEBA FEMININEについて

Sheba Feminine は、サステナブルでインクルーシブ、そして社会的インパクトのある生理用品をつくるため、2017年に設立された南アフリカの月経ケア企業です。オーガニックで生分解性のナプキン、タンポン、パンティライナー、月経カップ、吸水ショーツ、竹製ワイプなどを展開し、人にも地球にもやさしい設計にこだわっています。製品だけでなく、教育・アウトリーチ・学校やNGOとの連携を通じて生理の貧困にも向き合っています。若者向けブランド「Blud」のローンチや、低データ通信・多言語対応の生理トラッキングアプリ「Bluddy」の提供も予定しており、イノベーション、アクセスのしやすさ、社会変革でアフリカの月経ケアをアップデートしていきます。

Filip Lundin

CEO & 創業者 | Sopköket AB

Filip Lundin は、スウェーデンのソーシャルエンタープライズ Sopköket の創業者兼CEO。食品ロスを減らし、食事を寄付し、社会的に周縁化された背景を持つ人々の雇用を生み出す、循環型で、かつ財務的にも持続可能なモデルをリードしています。16歳から連続起業家として活動し、Wharton UniversityやEuropean Unionとともに、食品ロス削減とサステナブル政策について世界各地で講演。現在は、より大規模な生産キッチンと、食料品店のキッチン向けSaaSプラットフォームを通じた国際展開を準備しつつ、Scope 4のCO₂会計を提唱しています。サステナビリティと収益性は両立できることを示しているのです。

SOPKÖKET ABについて

Sopköket（“waste kitchen”）は、食品ロス、飢餓、社会的排除に立ち向かう、ストックホルム拠点の受賞歴あるソーシャルエンタープライズです。2015年にFilip Lundinが設立し、余剰食品を救出してケータリングや冷凍ミールを製造し、赤十字などのパートナーを通じて毎月数千食を寄付しています。これまでに150トン以上の食品を救出し、90,000食を寄付。チームの半数は社会的に周縁化された背景を持つメンバーで構成されています。クライアントにはSpotify、Marshall、PayPal、ICA、Coop、Fotografiskaなどが名を連ね、スウェーデン国内の主要なサステナビリティ賞を4つ受賞しています。

Evaluation Criteria

🚀 Innovation
How your business’s innovation supports your mission and creates a positive societal or environmental impact.

🎯 Impact
Demonstrated track-record of measurable impact the last 3-5 years, advancing one or more of the Global Goals.

📋 Vision
Compelling vision and concrete plans for how to expand this work in the next 3-5 years.

🔥️ Grit
Tell us about an obstacle your business has faced or is facing, and how you have worked or are working to overcome it.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Active Business Leader
    The applicant must be the business's owner, CEO, or founder and actively involved in business strategy and/or operations.
  • Small-to-Medium Sized Business
    Business has fewer than 50 full-time employees or annual revenue under $1 million, and be registered as a small business in its home country.
  • Demonstrate Community Impact
    The business should have at least 3 years of operation and show significant, tangible contributions to the local community.
    • Supporting local causes, charities, or nonprofit organizations. 
    • Engaging in community development projects or local partnerships. 
    • Implementing sustainable practices that benefit the local environment or economy. 
    • Creating jobs or providing educational/training opportunities for community members. 
  • Serve the Local Community
    The business must operate and primarily serve the local community.
    • ❌ Business Cannot Be:
      • Affiliated with an organization from any country or entity subject to financial or other sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or other government entity of the United States of America.
      • A franchise or part of a national or international chain, as the focus is on independent, locally owned enterprises. 

    Apply

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards?

    The Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards celebrates entrepreneurs and small business owners who are driving real impact in their communities by demonstrating a deep commitment to equity and sustainability in their business practices. The award will highlight innovative leaders of small business and social enterprises who have developed products and services that make a positive social or environmental impact.

    What do winners of the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards receive? 

    Each winner (five) will win $25,000 and a free Masterclass training with Global Citizen's Marketing and Social Teams.

    What is the judging process? 

    Candidates will be judged against set criteria by a group of Global Citizen and independent experts.

    Up to fifteen (15) finalists will be selected on or around September 22nd and will be required to submit three (3) letters of recommendation. If applying for the Prize, you should have your letters of recommendation ready for submission. Additional supplemental information might also be requested of finalists.

    If selected as one of the 15 finalists, you will be judged by a panel of representatives from Global Citizen and independent experts. 

    What does it mean to be a small to medium business?

    The business must be registered as a small-to-medium-sized business, typically with fewer than 50 full-time employees or annual revenue under $1 million (subject to local regulations and standards)

    Do I have to be the founder/CEO/owner of the organization to be eligible? 

    Yes, we are looking for a transformative leader who is playing a key role in the business. This can be a CEO, owner or (co-)founder as long as you are still actively involved with the business. 

    In your application, you will be asked for the title of your role in the organization to help us understand how you are having an impact.

    Do you accept people from any country? 

    We accept applications from all over the world, with the exception of countries and entities subject to financial or other sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or other government entities of the United States of America that may restrict the transfer of the Prize money. 

    Do you accept non-profits? 

    No, we are looking for individuals leading businesses, who are doing impactful work and who have a registered legal entity such as for-profit, B-corp, social enterprise, etc. 

    Is this prize for individuals as well as business? 

    The Prize will be accepted by an individual on behalf of the business, and the money will be allocated to the business that the individual works for. 

    I have a lot of great ideas, but am just starting out. Am I eligible for the Award? 

    We are glad you are passionate about making a difference in the global community. However, this Award is for individuals who have a demonstrated impact over the last 3-5 years so this may not be right for you. 

    What is needed for the application? 

    The application consists of four parts: (1) About you & about your business, (2) Pitch (3) Description of how your work aligns with the judging criteria (4) Supplemental organizational details (upon request)

    For the first part, you will be required to submit basic information about you and your business.


    For the second part, you must explain why you deserve this award and provide us with a 1-2 minute video of your pitch. 


    For the third part, you will be required to answer four short answer questions about your work. In 250 words or less, you will describe how you meet each one of the Awards’ criteria.

    When does the application open? When does it close? 

    Applications open for submission at 10:00amPST Thursday, June 26th, 2025  and close at 17:00pm Friday, August15th, 2025.

    When will I find out if I have been selected? 

    Up to 15 finalists will be notified on or around September 22nd, 2025.

    What documents are required if I am a finalist? Should I prepare them now? 

    If you are selected as one of the 15 finalists you will be contacted on or around September 22nd, 2025 to submit 3 letters of recommendation:


    3 Letters of recommendation should include: 

    • A Colleague 
    • A Funder or Operational Partner 
    • Person you’ve impacted 


    Once you apply for the Award, you should have your letters of recommendation ready for submission. Supplemental information might also be requested of finalists. Finalists who are contacted and cannot provide letters of recommendation and supplemental information by the deadline may be removed from further consideration. 

    If selected as a finalist, you will be provided with instructions on how to submit your letters of recommendation and supplemental information. 
    In addition, shortlisted applicants may be required to provide their business’s registration details, including one or more of: the certificate of registration, certificate of incorporation, certificate of tax exemption (pdf only), annual report and/or business plan; please be prepared to provide this information. 

    If I’m selected as a finalist, who should provide the letter or video of endorsement? 

    You should provide a letter or video of endorsement from each one of the following: 

    • A colleague 
    • A funder or operational partner 
    • A person you’ve impacted 


    Letters should have an official letterhead and original signature.  

    Endorsements don’t need to be new / given specifically for this Award, but we do ask that they are less than six months old. 

    Can I nominate someone for this Award? 

    No, applicants must apply for the Award themselves. 

    Can I apply in a language other than English? 

    Unfortunately, at this time we are only able to accept applications in English. 

    You are welcome to draft your application in another language and send us a translation. We are judging you on the criteria, not your writing. 

    What happens to my application materials after I submit? 

    All application submissions will be reviewed against Award criteria: “Innovation,” “Impact,” “Vision,” and “Grit” 

    If I am selected as the winner, do I have to spend the Award money in a certain way? 

    No. Award money is unconditional. However, we do ask applicants for an idea of how they plan to use the money and require the winner to provide quarterly written updates on their organization’s progress for a period of 1 year. 

    How do I make and send my video? Can I still apply if I cannot create a video? 

    Your application must include a 1-2 minute video of your pitch, convincing us why you should be awarded this prize. Feel free to shoot the video on your phone, camera, or other recording device, as long as the video can be uploaded to YouTube. Once you have filmed your video, you must provide a link to the YouTube video- remember to make the link unrestricted. 

    Applications without a video pitch will not be accepted. 

    Can I change my application after I submit it? 

    No, all applications are considered final. 

    I’m having trouble submitting my application, what can I do? 

    Please email paypal@globalcitizen.org 

    Where can I ask questions not covered here? 

    If you have any questions that are not answered on the award’s information page or in these FAQs, please email paypal@globalcitizen.org. Regretfully we will only be able to respond to questions not answered here. 

    What is Global Citizen? 

    Global Citizen is an action platform dedicated to achieving the end of extreme poverty. By taking action with us, Global Citizens earn rewards, such as tickets to events and digital experiences with artists and influencers. Policy-makers make commitments to achieve the end of extreme poverty on our platform and we hold them accountable. So far, we’ve inspired 49.2 million actions since 2009. Today, these actions, in combination with high-level advocacy work, have led to over $49 billion being distributed to our partners around the world, impacting 1.3 billion lives in the fight to end extreme poverty. Together we can defeat poverty and defend the planet. 

    What is PayPal? 

    PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. PayPal’s core values include Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness.