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New York, November 17, 2025 — Today, PayPal and Global Citizen, the world’s largest movement to end extreme poverty, announced the inaugural winners of the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards. The winning entrepreneurs each receive USD $25,000 in recognition of their innovative small businesses and the positive social or environmental impact they are making in their local communities. 

All over the world, passionate entrepreneurs are building small businesses that shape their communities and economies. According to the World Economic Forum, small businesses employ more than 60 percent of workers worldwide and generate 70 percent of global GDP. PayPal and Global Citizen are proud to spotlight these leaders as the 2025 Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards grantees:

• Kunjpreet Arora, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Angirus, based in India, develops sustainable alternatives to traditional construction materials;
• Filip Lundin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sopköket AB, based in Sweden, tackles food waste, hunger, and social exclusion;
• Zizipho Ntobongwana, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sheba Feminine, based in South Africa, creates sustainable and inclusive period products;
• Somnath Ray, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CLIP, based in the U.S., democratizes access to e-bike functionality at a fraction of the cost;
• Franco Rodriguez Viau, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Satellites on Fire, based in Argentina, leverages artificial intelligence for an early wildfire alert system.

“Small businesses are the economic and social backbone of so many communities around the world. The inaugural recipients of the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards are not only developing inventive products and services but generating life-changing solutions to problems that affect their local populations,” said Liza Henshaw, President, Global Citizen. “We’re proud to recognize and support these entrepreneurs from Argentina, India, South Africa, Sweden and the United States, and look forward to honoring their important work in Johannesburg on November 21.”

All of the award winners will participate in Global Citizen NOW: Johannesburg on November 21. As part of a panel moderated by Otto Williams, Senior Vice President, Regional Head and General Manager of PayPal Middle East & Africa, the grantees will discuss their entrepreneurial journey and how they’re reimagining what’s possible when innovation meets purpose.

“A thriving economy starts with small businesses—the community leaders driving growth from the ground up,” said Amy Bonitatibus, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, PayPal. “Our award winners embody that entrepreneurial spirit, creating jobs, strengthening communities, and shaping the future of industries from food waste to transportation. As PayPal continues to revolutionize commerce globally, we remain committed to empowering small businesses and nonprofits to create lasting, meaningful impact in their communities.”

To learn more about the award winners, their businesses, and the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards, go here.
 

About Global Citizen
Global Citizen is the world’s leading international advocacy organisation on a mission to end extreme poverty NOW. Powered by a worldwide community of everyday activists raising their voices and taking action, the movement is amplified by campaigns and events that convene leaders in music, entertainment, public policy, media, philanthropy and the corporate sector. Since the movement began, $49 billion in commitments announced on Global Citizen platforms has been deployed, impacting 1.3 billion lives. Established in Australia in 2008, Global Citizen’s team operates from New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Geneva, Melbourne, Toronto, Johannesburg, Lagos and beyond. Join the movement at globalcitizen.org, download the Global Citizen app, and follow Global Citizen on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

About 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. For more information, visit https://www.paypal.com, https://about.pypl.com/ and https://investor.pypl.com/.

Contact
Media@GlobalCitizen.org