How Pinterest’s Expanded Inclusion Fund Is Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs
Pinterest has announced that it is expanding its Creator Inclusion Fund to the Pinterest Inclusion Fund, allowing founders to join.
Pinterest Inclusion Fund
The now-called Pinterest Inclusion Fund began in 2021 to help give more opportunities to underrepresented content creators.
It has now expanded as they have teamed up with Shopify’s Build Black and Build Native programs to allow small business owners who are from or who serve underrepresented backgrounds to apply for the Creator Inclusion Fund.
Previously, only traditional content creators applied.
“The Pinterest Inclusion Fund is focused on the growth and success of small merchant businesses, independent lifestyle publishers, and boutique creator agencies that are owned and operated by or produce content and products for BIPOC, disability, plus-size and LGBTQIA+ communities,” their website states.
What Does The Fund Offer?
The fund is a six-week accelerator program that coaches these founders on using Pinterest to expand their brands and businesses.
The program launched on May 29 in the US and Canada and plans to expand soon into other countries such as Brazil, India, France, and Argentina.
The small businesses selected will have access to educational and financial resources, including the ability to connect Shopify accounts to Pinterest and the training sessions that are provided by Shopify.
Pinterest will also offer mentorship, monetary stipends, and paid subscriptions to workplace SaaS.
“It’s critical that the diversity of our users is reflected within the inspiration they search, save and shop from,” Zeny Shifferaw, Pinterest’s global inclusion content partnership lead, told TechCrunch.
“This program is uniquely designed to increase pathways of success for content producers who’ve been disproportionately underrepresented, allowing them to grow and reach new audiences and customers on the platform.”
According to TechCrunch, the company has invested more than $3.3 million in the accelerator program and has had more than 150 participants globally.
Feature Image Credit: Pinterest