xMerch Vendor Grants · 2026
Sell on xMerch. Grow your business. Get a grant with no strings attached.
We're giving grants from one total pool to the top-performing vendors in three categories. We're backing 100 brands to scale, and every sale you make on xMerch counts toward yours.
- Window opens
- October 1, 2026
- Window closes
- January 31, 2027
- Winners announced
- in February 2027
- To enter
- Free
Find your grant
Grants are awarded in three categories (barbers, food, apparel), so a barber is judged against barbers, not against a clothing brand.
How to qualify
Four steps. Finish them before January 31, 2027 and you're registered: there's no separate form. A vendor who hasn't done all four can't be funded.
- 1
Activate your store
Open your store (free on Pop-Up with one product, or Storefront for more), complete your profile and get approved. Your plan doesn't change your chances.
- 2
Connect Stripe through xMerch
In your vendor dashboard, Settings → Payments. Grants are only paid to a Stripe account connected through xMerch. Every plan can connect, Pop-Up included.
- 3
Follow @xmerch.app
On Instagram or Threads. It's how we announce winners and new grant rounds.
- 4
Sell your products or services
Your business has to be selling on xMerch. Every order during the window counts toward your category. The window closes January 31, 2027.
Two ways to start
One product
Start free on Pop-Up
- One live listing
- Wallet checkout (XRP and Xahau)
- Your own xmerch.app store
- Fully eligible for a grant
More products
Storefront with FOUNDERZ
3 days free, then $1/month for 2 months on the Storefront plan.
- Up to 10 listings
- Card, Apple Pay and Cash App checkout
- Printful and dropship fulfillment
- Same grant chances as Pop-Up
Or, once you follow @xmerch.app on Instagram or Threads, comment FOUNDERZ on our grant post to get the link by DM.
How winners are picked
The xMerch team reviews every registered store in its category. Merit only: no draw, no luck.
- 01
Sales on xMerch
Real orders from real customers during the grant window, counted by order count and revenue for your category.
- 02
Happy customers
Verified reviews and ratings, and few refunds, disputes or problem orders.
- 03
Reliable fulfillment
Orders shipped or delivered on time, with tracking where it applies.
- 04
A complete, active store
Clear photos and descriptions, new listings, and promoting your store on your own channels.
- 05
Growth
How far your store has come since it opened, so newer stores can win too.
No strings attached
Spend it on whatever grows your business. For example:
- Expanding your product line
- Marketing and promotion
- Moving into a local space or warehouse
- A vehicle for deliveries and shipping
- Equipment and tools
Questions
Do I need to apply separately?
No. Finishing the four steps registers you. There's no essay or pitch deck: your store and your sales are your application. A vendor who isn't activated, connected to Stripe through xMerch and selling on xMerch can't be funded.
Is it really free to enter?
Yes. The Pop-Up plan is free and lets you list one product, and Pop-Up stores are judged exactly like paid ones. If you want to list more, the FOUNDERZ offer gives you the Storefront plan (3 days free, then $1/month for 2 months on the Storefront plan).
How are winners picked?
Only registered vendors are considered: activated, connected to Stripe through xMerch, following us and selling on xMerch. The team then reviews them in each category on sales, customer reviews, fulfillment, store quality and growth. There's no draw and no luck involved.
What can I spend a grant on?
Anything that grows your business. There are no strings: we only ask you to tell us what it helped you do, so we can share your story if you're happy for us to.
I already sell on xMerch. Am I in?
Yes, once your store is activated, Stripe is connected in Settings → Payments and you follow us. Sales since the window opened on October 1 already count.
How much are the grants?
Grants come from one total pool, shared among the top vendors across the three categories. The pool is announced on the grants page and on our Instagram and Threads.
Can I win more than once?
Yes. A vendor who keeps performing on xMerch can keep winning.
Do I have to follow or comment on Instagram?
Following @xmerch.app on Instagram or Threads is required. Commenting FOUNDERZ on our grant post is optional: it just gets you the Storefront offer link by DM.
Who can enter?
Anyone 18 or older, anywhere, as long as Stripe can pay out to you in your country.
Official rules
- Sponsor. The xMerch Vendor Grants programme is run by xMerch. Questions: support@xmerch.app.
- Window. October 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027, 11:59 pm US Eastern. Only orders placed and paid in the window count.
- Eligibility. Open to anyone 18 or older who runs the business behind an xMerch store in good standing (not suspended) in one of the three categories, in a country where Stripe can pay them out. xMerch employees, contractors and their households can't win. A vendor can win more than once.
- No purchase necessary. Entry is free: the Pop-Up plan, connecting Stripe and following us cost nothing. A paid plan or buying from xMerch doesn't improve your chances.
- How to enter. Complete the four steps in “How to qualify” before the window closes: an activated store, Stripe connected through xMerch, following @xmerch.app on Instagram or Threads, and your products or services selling on xMerch. Vendors who haven't completed all four can't be funded.
- Judging. The xMerch team judges eligible stores in each category on the criteria on this page. Decisions are final.
- Fair play. Orders you place yourself, orders paid for by you or people acting for you, fake reviews or any attempt to inflate sales disqualify the store and may lead to its removal from xMerch.
- Winners. Winners are contacted at the email on their vendor profile and announced in February 2027 on this page and our social accounts. A winner who doesn't respond within 14 days may be replaced. We may ask to verify identity and business details before paying.
- Payment. Grants come from one total pool shared among the winners, and are paid to the Stripe account connected through the winner's xMerch profile within 30 days after a winner is verified. Winners are responsible for any taxes and may be asked for a tax form before payment.
- Publicity. With the winner's permission, we may share their store name, story and photos to announce the result.
- Changes. We may change or end the programme, or the grant amounts, if we must for legal or practical reasons, and will post any change on this page. Void where prohibited.
- Social media. This programme is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram, Threads or Meta.
Use of xMerch is also governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Every sale counts.
The window closes January 31, 2027.