Fiverr Announces Third Future Collective Program

Fiverr has announced this year’s selection of entrepreneurs tapped to take part in its third annual Future Collective Business Accelerator Program.

Designed to give Black entrepreneurs of early-stage companies in the US and Canada access to funding, the program also offers coaching and tools that will help them grow their businesses.

The selected entrepreneurs will receive Fiverr credits, a cash grant, multiple workshops delivered by Fiverr and its partners, coaching over a period of six months, and access to additional resources and networking opportunities.

This third round includes 12 founders – the largest class yet – coming from industries such as real estate, publishing, education, and health and wellness. Participants include tabletop game Brilliant or BS?, Three Keys Coffee roastery, and indie comic book and publisher Midnight Comics.

Fiverr partners with District of Columbia based non-profit organization 1863 Ventures to make this accelerator program a success. 1863 Ventures is a Black-led accelerator and venture capital fund that focuses on “individuals that have historically been underestimated, including Black and Latino men and women.” It provides capital investments, develops learning programs, and has a network of partners to help entrepreneurs grow.

Fiverr created the Future Collective program to support its commitment to working towards creating an equitable landscape for entrepreneurs and has continued to grow the program each year. A recent study from Goldman Sachs found that Black business owners continue to have more difficulty in securing funding relative to their non-Black peers.

Fiverr CEO and Founder Micha Kaufman says, “We are so proud to have the Future Collective as part of the Fiverr ecosystem. Since the start of the program in 2021, Fiverr has doubled down and intensified its focus on empowering Black entrepreneurs.”

Ryen Williams, alumni of the Future Collective and founder of Under Her Empire, says this program offers more resources than any other. “The grant and Fiverr credits, mentorship, and best practices have made such an impact and will continue to do so for me as a first-generation entrepreneur.”