Michelle Wiltshire, Psy.D.
Wasabi + Well
A wellness company founded to help Black women feel seen, heard, and healed through therapy, community, and courses.
The
Future
Collective
For Black-Owned Businesses
Learn about the success of the 2023 cohort in our first ever Future Collective Impact Report.
The Future Collective supports Black entrepreneurs by maximizing their opportunities for growth. The program was founded on Fiverr's responsibility and desire to use our privileged position in the corporate world to enable a more equitable playing field for entrepreneurs who face systemic structures, cultural barriers, or life circumstances working against them.
We’re putting our purpose - to revolutionize how the world works together by creating opportunities for anyone to grow their business, brand, or dreams - into action.
Awardees will each receive $24,000—$18,000 in cash and $6,000 in Fiverr credit.
The $18,000 can be used towards their business however the entrepreneurs and their coach see fit. The $6,000 credit can be applied to professional services offered on Fiverr’s platform.
All education and mentorship will be overseen by Fiverr and 1863 Ventures, a DC-based business working to accelerate Black entrepreneurs from high potential to high growth. Programming will consist of a series of interactive workshops supplemented with 1:1 mentoring over the course of 6 months.
Fiverr and 1863 Ventures will connect entrepreneurs with one another, previous Future Collective cohorts, and the broader 1863 Ventures community throughout the program and beyond.
Additionally, each entrepreneur will be assigned a dedicated Fiverr Success Manager to recommend the best Fiverr freelancers for the entrepreneurs’ respective business needs.
This year's entrepreneurs
Nancey Harris & Tracey V. Green
Vontélle
An eyewear brand offering better-fitting vibrant, luxury frames in sizes that complement diverse faces; handcrafted to empower humanity to see the world through a cultural and global lens.
Dr. Artika R. Tyner
Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore
A publishing house and social enterprise that publishes, promotes, and distributes books that empower Black children to find joy in reading.
Vaughn Dabney
Unoma Haus
A PropTech company creating a more sustainable and equitable future for housing and community building through two main verticals: modular homes and van conversions.
Sunny Williams
Tiny Docs
An education platform providing an interactive experience designed to empower kids with age-appropriate information about various health-related issues without complex medical details and terminologies.
Amara Onwukaeme
Femigist
A purpose-driven feminine care brand that provides plant-powered menstrual management and feminine wellness products along with educational resources and supportive community.
Jordan Karim
Flora & Noor
A skincare brand designed for those with melanin-rich skin and chronic skin conditions, offering halal certified, sustainable products.
Lenora Ebule
Bailan
A purpose-driven food company that helps people create delicious meals and live healthier with foods that capture the rich flavors of Africa.
Ariane Turner
Look Good Live Well
A beauty-focused wellness brand offering clean, adaptogen-fueled products designed to heal and hydrate stressed-out skin.
Ryen Williams
Under Her Empire
A conscious, creative community and production house on a mission to decentralize media and entertainment by allowing consumers and brands to make socially impactful investments in the creators they love.
Apply to Program
Frequently Asked Questions
If my business does not operate in the United States can I apply?
Unfortunately, the program is only available to businesses based in the United States at this time.
Do I need to have purchased gigs on Fiverr’s platform in order to qualify?
Yes, applicants need to have purchased at least 3+ orders on Fiverr. During the scoring process, we will be prioritizing entrepreneurs that have used Fiverr in some capacity in the past to grow their business.
How long does the application process take?
Time spent on the application will vary based on the applicant, but we anticipate that applicants shouldn’t need to spend longer than one hour on their entry.
What information is needed to apply?
In addition to providing basic information about the business owner, the company, and its business model, each applicant must answer a series of short questions, provide net sales for 2021 and expected net sales for 2022, and information on any existing debt or equity funding. If an applicant is selected as a finalist, they will be asked to provide more detailed financial information, including financial statements, as well as business plans and/or pitch decks.
Will my competitive business and financial information be kept confidential?
Absolutely! We understand that applicants may be providing us non-public, confidential information about their business as part of the application and we commit to keeping that information confidential. This information will only be shared with individuals involved with the selection process and deleted once selections have been made.
Can I start my application and finish it at a later time?
No, you will not be able to save progress of your application and return to it at a later time. We recommend completing the application in one sitting to avoid losing your progress.
Can I edit my application responses to the questions?
You will be able to toggle between previously answered questions if you’d like to make any changes, but once you submit your application you will not be able to make any edits.
Do I have to pay back the the capital provided?
Nope! Cohort members will not be asked to pay back the cash capital or the Fiverr credits.
How does Fiverr expect businesses to use this money? Are there requirements for how they need to spend the funds?
The only requirement is that awardees use the funding for legitimate business expenses that are consistent with what’s outlined in their application and discussed with mentors throughout the program.
How will I know if I have been selected as a finalist?
We will let applicants know if they have been selected as a finalist and will reach out via the email address provided in the application in December 2023. Being selected as a finalist does not guarantee you will receive a spot in the cohort. Finalists will be asked to interview with Fiverr and 1863 Ventures and are expected to maintain confidentiality during this part of the process.
When can I expect to hear back if I’m selected?
Awardees will be publicly announced in January 2024. Due to the volume of expected applications, we will not be able to individually notify applicants who were not selected or provide individualized feedback on applications.
What is the time commitment for this program?
Entrepreneurs that are selected to be part of the Future Collective must commit to investing a total of ~15 hours of training and 12 hours of homework over 6 months in addition to ad-hoc coaching, sessions with Fiverr mentors, and time required for content creation.
How are applications evaluated?
Once all eligibility criteria are met, applications will be evaluated based on each of the three criteria below:
1. Business Plan: Your plans for business growth and how this program specifically will help you achieve your goals
2. Originality: How your business is differentiated or disruptive within your respective industry
3 Purpose: The driving inspiration fueling your business vision and the impact you hope to achieve both for your customers and the broader community
Who is reviewing applications?
Applications will be reviewed by a diverse group of Fiverr team members spanning Brand, Community, Creative, Marketing, Finance, and program partners at 1863 Ventures.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my application or the application process?
Applicants can get in touch by reaching out to futurecollective@fiverr.com with the subject line “Future Collective Application”.
About the Artist
Hank Washington is a Mississippi-raised creative and operator of Hank Designs Studio. With almost a decade of sweat in the game, Hank has designed and art-directed for brands, small and large, and is obsessed with good typography and fuzzy illustrations.
For this campaign, he drew inspiration from the unique way gems interact with light, paralleling how these Black business owners will shine for their respective communities in different ways.
