eBay is teaming up with Hatch Enterprise, a London-based entrepreneur accelerator, to launch the Sneaker Academy, a program designed to help young people turn their passion for sneakers into their own online business. The free 14-week program, targeted at young sneakerheads from under-served communities, hopes to transform reselling passion projects into viable businesses. Through a group of expert e-commerce coaches and mentors, the Sneaker Academy will support entrepreneurs who have faced barriers in getting into the job market or starting their own businesses. Wahaaj Shabbir, head of sneakers at eBay U.K, spearheads the initiative. The Sneaker Academy will run from May 17 to August 14, 2023. After completing the program, participants will continue to be offered ongoing support from both eBay and Hatch, alongside zero fees and free shop fronts for their eBay business in the first six months, eBay explained in a statement. Applications are closing on April 10. The program is open to 18-30-year-olds based in the U.K.

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