UK: social enterprise launches online marketplace

E2bid.com is being run by a community interest company to enable users to auction their wares via the site for a cost of 40p per item. The company will then donate 25% of all the site’s revenue to beneficiary charities including the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer, Sense and Carla Lane’s Animaline. Since launching on 1 March 2007, the site has already registered 500 users, and if its success continues it will raise its charity donation to 50%. Eventually it aims to increase its donation further, retaining only that revenue which is required to maintain the site and allow it to grow and compete in the marketplace so it can benefit even more good causes. www.e2bid.com