Collab Studio Product Management Fellowship

The Product Management Fellowship, a program by Collab Studio, aims to increase startup product talent within our community by training Black creatives to become certified startup Product Managers

Program Overview

Over nine months, our five Fellows will receive their Product Management Certification, virtual coaching and startup skills development, and direct client connections through our portfolio of Black founders with early-stage startups

Our Fellows also receive ongoing coaching, training, and mentorship from experienced Product Managers, who we call “Guides.” Our Guides lead Product at successful startups and some of the world’s largest companies.

Apply to become a Guide

Applications are Open

Starting October 19, 2021, eligible Black creatives can apply to the Product Management Fellowship program.

Apply Today

Why We Built This

Collab Studio’s sibling entity, Collab Capital, built a new financial instrument and a network to help Black founders of early-stage startups grow sustainably.

Our Product Management Fellowship addresses network challenges that Black founders face in acquiring talent and building world-class products.

At a startup, the Product Manager’s primary focus includes reaching (or improving) product-market fit, uncovering market opportunities, and helping the company grow. By building a talent pipeline that enables Black founders to create better products, we will increase the number of successful startups within our community. Because Product Managers play an essential role in shaping the product’s strategic direction, it’s also vital that we have Product Managers who understand the markets many Black founders serve.

Although Black people make up 13.4% of the U.S. population, they make up just 4.5% of all product managers. This number remained mostly stagnant since 2010.

We’re diversifying the industry, building a Black Product Management talent pipeline that taps into our community’s creative genius. Our Fellows learn how to add new revenue streams to their businesses, which helps fuel their growth. Our portfolio of Black startup founders gets to build the future of digital products with trusted Product Management expertise and intimate market knowledge by their side. It’s a win-win-win.

Application Timeline

Applications open October 19th and close November 7th at 11:59 p.m.

Applicants selected for 1:1 interviews will be notified in mid-November.

Finalists selected for the fellowship will be announced late-November.

Apply Today

Program Overview

To be eligible for the Product Management Fellowship, applicants must:

Have an incorporated, for-profit creative services company (or similar) based in the United States.
Preferably have $100K or more in annual revenue.
Preferably have two or more additional part-time or full-time employees.
Have an active roster of clients who can vouch for their track record of exceptional customer service.
Commit to participating in all virtual sessions and programming, beginning with our Fellow/Guide Mixer on November 29, 2021, and ending with graduation on August 31, 2022 (see FAQs for additional key dates).
Share our commitment to building community and increasing Black generational wealth.

For complete eligibility requirements and other common questions, see FAQs.

Partners

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About Collab Studio

Collab Studio provides Black founders, service providers, talent, and others with a safe place to collaborate. Combining an ever-expanding network with intentional programming, Collab Studio seeks to improve the likelihood of founder success by providing tools, networking opportunities, upskilling opportunities, and wellness experiences.

About Collab Capital

Collab Capital is an investment fund leveraging financial, human, and social capital to help founders build sustainable, technology-enabled businesses. We create growth opportunities for Black founders with early-stage startups by providing investment capital and connecting them to corporate and social influencers.