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
The Future Collective supports Black entrepreneurs by maximizing their opportunities for growth. The program was founded on our 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. Now in our second year, the Future Collective cohort size will double, and ten Black-owned and operated businesses will be selected to join the six-month fellowship, receiving access to capital, education and mentorship, and amplification opportunities.
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 mentors 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.
1863 Ventures has worked with over 2,500 founders, representing nearly $300M and thousands of jobs. Programming will include interactive sessions across a variety of business topics and general coaching around entrepreneurial best practices.
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, maximizing their usage of the $6,000 in Fiverr credits.
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
What is Fiverr’s Future Collective for Black-Owned Businesses?
The Future Collective for Black-Owned Businesses by Fiverr is a 6-month fellowship program that aims to support Black business owners with capital, education & mentorship, and amplification opportunities.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligibility criteria for the 2022-2023 Future Collective cohort is as follows. Applicants must:
- Have a Fiverr account.
- Be a U.S. resident and over the age of 18.
- Identify as Black or African American.
- Have a business based in the U.S. and incorporated as a legal entity under the laws of any state and be 51% Black-owned, managed, and controlled.
- Preferable to have a valid minority-owned business registration or certification, but any proof of business legitimacy will be accepted.
- Have a business in operation for at least 1 year with product(s)/service(s) ready to promote and sell
- Have business revenues over $25,000 in the most recent fiscal year
For more details on the eligibility requirements, please refer to the Fellowship Terms and Conditions.
How do I apply?
The application can be accessed here.
Is there a deadline for applying?
The application process opens on October 11, and the deadline to apply for a grant is November 8, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
If my business does not operate in the United States can I apply?
Unfortunately, the fellowship is only available to businesses based in the United States at this time.
Can I apply more than once?
Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, we are only able to accept one application per business.
What is the amount given as part of each fellowship?
As part of the 2022 program, each of the ten selected businesses will be awarded $18,000 cash and $6,000 in Fiverr credits.
Do I need to have purchased gigs on Fiverr’s platform in order to qualify?
No, applicants simply need to have a Fiverr member ID.
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 for a fellowship?
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.
How many fellowships will be awarded?
We will be awarding a total of $240,000 across ten businesses.
Do I have to pay back the grant?
Nope! Awardees will not be asked to pay back the grant.
What if I don’t have an Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or other social media account for my business or a business website to link to in the application?
No need to create one just for this application! Applicants can provide links to any social media accounts that they have, if any.
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 or phone number provided in the application by the end of December 2022.
If I am selected as a finalist, does that mean I get the fellowship?
Being selected as a finalist does not guarantee you will receive a fellowship. Finalists will be asked to provide additional information, including business financial statements and samples of their product, to further evaluate their application. Finalists may be asked to interview with Fiverr and 1863 Ventures representatives, and are expected to maintain confidentiality during this part of the review process.
When can I expect to hear back if I’m selected?
Awardees will be publicly announced in January 2023. Due to the volume of expected applications, we will not be able to individually notify applicants who were not selected.
What is the time commitment for this fellowship?
Entrepreneurs that are selected to be part of the Future Collective must commit to investing a total of ~10 hours of training and 6 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 being 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.
