eBay will give $25,000 business grants to four winners of a new "eBay Sellers Challenge" competition. The challenge requires entrepreneurs to develop a compelling plan for growing or establishing an eBay-based business.

Entrants may submit a business plan and an accompanying video in one of four categories: Current or former members of the United States Armed Forces; Individuals or small businesses who have not sold on eBay; Part-time sellers who want to go full-time on eBay; and Full-time eBay sellers who want to grow their business further.

Submissions will be evaluated by eBay and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a foundation devoted to entrepreneurship. Eight finalists - two in each category - will be selected based on perceived business challenges and obstacles, clarity of business plan, passion for using eBay and appropriateness to contest theme. Buyers and sellers of eBay will then be invited to review and vote on each finalist's entry, and the most popular entry in each category will win. Each of the four challenge winners will receive a $25,000 business grant from eBay, as well as marketing services and support from eBay, and runners-up will each receive a $5,000 grant.

Entrepreneurs may submit entries through July 7, 2009, and winners will be announced on August 11th. Winners must use grant funds to start or grow a business on eBay.

http://sellerschallenge.ebay.com