Fiverr has partnered with Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur and Dragon's Den star, to support UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in their growth. Fiverr has launched a competition called 'Break The Breakthrough' for UK residents above 18 years old with established businesses. Three winners will receive £10,000 in Fiverr credits, expert consultation with Bartlett and Fiverr, guidance from a Fiverr Customer Success Manager, and a mentorship session with a respected entrepreneur. The partnership aims to connect SMBs with skilled professionals and help them achieve their business breakthroughs. Fiverr recently released a major update to its platform and introduced Fiverr Agencies as part of its response to feedback from freelancers and businesses. The winners of the competition will be notified on April 15, 2024. [58d1b11f]
Google has opened applications for the 2024 cohort of its Hustle Academy, a program dedicated to accelerating the growth of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The program introduces a significant upgrade this year: business-focused AI training integrated directly into the curriculum. Since its launch in 2022, over 10,000 businesses have benefited from the program. Participants who received grants nearly doubled their success rate in accessing new funding sources beyond friends and family, increasing from 11% to 20%. The program has also spurred job creation, with an average of 4 new jobs for every 10 businesses that graduated. The new AI modules focus on data-driven decisions, optimizing operations, and building AI-powered marketing strategies. Applications for the Google 2024 Hustle Academy cohort are open to SMBs in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, and the program will run through the end of the year. [85412ecf]