Companies continue to create opportunities and resources for Black entrepreneurs, and now Fiverr — an Israeli online freelancer platform — is one of the latest to support.
The platform has launched the Future Collective Fellowship Program, a business accelerator fellowship for Black entrepreneurs, according to Zenger. In the act of Fiverr joining the movement toward equality for Black-owned businesses, five businesses were selected for the program’s inaugural class and each will receive $24,000. The program is also backed up by 1863 Ventures, a Black-led and D.C.-based nonprofit organization and Maestra, a women of color-owned business strategy firm.
“Fiverr’s purpose is to provide anyone, no matter their race, religion, background or beliefs, the opportunity to build their business, brand or dreams. The U.S. is our largest market and therefore it’s incumbent upon us to use our platform and resources to help our community there however we can,” said Fiverr CMO Gali Arnon.
Along with the funding, the fellows will have access to mentorship, guidance and coaching sessions from Fiverr’s senior management team, Zenger reports.
“Fiverr’s Future Collective is set to be an annual accelerator program targeting entrepreneurs and business owners in marginalized communities,” Arnon said. “The goal of the program is to provide them with the funding, proper training and mentoring to help them succeed long term. We are thrilled with our inaugural class of fellows and can’t wait to see where they take their businesses post-graduation.”
The Future Collective Fellowship Program fellows are listed below:
- Appdrop (Adrian Abrams) — a platform to build mobile apps without code
- Budget Collector (Ebonique Boyd & Anya Ellis) — an AI-based mobile app for art collectors
- De L’Or Cakery (Kayisha Thompson) — a Caribbean infused artisan cake catering company
- Hey Girl Hey (Seanice & Sharina Clarke) — a card game designed for Black women to build connections
- Keeyahri (Keya Martin) — a unique luxury women’s shoe brand
