This week, PayPal and Global Citizen announced the 2026 class of the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards. What started as a five-winner pilot last year has grown to 15 entrepreneurs this year, each receiving a $20,000 grant plus hands-on programmatic support to help them scale.
The winners are small business owners tackling some of the toughest problems in their communities, from poverty to environmental resilience.
“We're proud to support and invest in the ideas and people solving some of society's most pressing challenges,” says Amy Bonitatibus, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at PayPal. “As we strive toward our 2030 goal to support 25 million people and small businesses with the resources, skills, and training they need to thrive in the digital economy, we've expanded the Small Business Impact Awards to celebrate the businesses leading the way.”
Liza Henshaw, President of Global Citizen, echoed that momentum.
"Ending extreme poverty takes exactly the kind of innovation exemplified by these 15 entrepreneurs,” Henshaw said. “Our 2026 grantees are proof that the people closest to a problem are often the ones building the smartest solutions. Investing in small business owners like these results in real, lasting change, and we're proud to grow this program alongside PayPal for its second year."
Meet this year's winners:
- Amrita Bhasin, Founder of Sotira, based in United States, a platform that matches companies' excess and short-dated inventory with verified nonprofits, turning surplus goods into community impact.
- Ankunda Recho, Co-Founder of Helton Traders Limited, based in Uganda, a social enterprise that transforms discarded plastic bottles into high-quality, sustainable sewing thread.
- Anu Bidani, Founder of STEM Minds, based in Canada, a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and Agri-Tech education company bringing hands-on robotics, coding, and farming programs to students.
- Branice Kazira, Founder of Signvrse, based in Kenya, an AI-powered platform providing real-time sign language interpretation through 3D avatars for Deaf and hearing communication.
- Diana Yousef, Founder and CEO of change:WATER Labs, based in United States, a sanitation technology company developing low-cost, waterless toilets for communities without sewer access.
- Dr. Ona Newton, Founder of Recycled Learning For Kids (RLKids), based in UK, with operations in the UAE and across Africa, an AI-powered learning platform teaching children ages 7-14 sustainability, leadership, and entrepreneurship skills.
- Eleanor Lawrence, Founder and Director of Operations of Green Mama Compost, based in Guatemala, a grassroots composting service that diverts organic waste from landfills in Guatemala while providing jobs for the community.
- Faith Kuya, Founder of SafeSip, based in Tanzania, a maker of portable water-filtration straws giving rural communities affordable, on-the-go access to clean drinking water.
- Fatma Guettou, Founder of Watoto Toys (Watoto Arts), based in Sweden, a Swedish maker of handmade, personalized dolls designed for children with medical needs.
- Jovia Kisaakye, Founder of Nutrigrab (Ecobed Biotech Brand), based in Uganda, a digital agriculture marketplace connecting Ugandan farmers to buyers, affordable inputs, and tools that reduce food waste.
- Laura Stembridge, Founder of InsideOut (Talk to Remi), based in UK, runs an on-demand mental health and wellbeing platform that connects people to accessible coaching and therapy globally.
- Lawrence Miller, Founder of Trek for Vets Coffee, based in United States, a veteran-owned coffee company that directs proceeds from every bag sold to support veterans and their families.
- Mamunur Rashid, Founder of AmarDoctor (AequiSym AI Limited), based in UK / Bangladesh, an AI-powered digital health platform that connects underserved and multilingual patients with culturally adapted virtual care.
- Marina Meloni, Founder of MINA Solar Energy, based in Brazil, a solar energy company helping Brazilian households and businesses cut energy costs while expanding access to clean power.
- Michelle Adelman, Founder and CEO of Crossover Meats, based in United States, a chicken-based blend burger that cuts land and water use without sacrificing taste.
Learn more about the 2026 winners, their businesses, and the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards 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.
Media contact: mediarelations@paypal.com
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/.