Corner is a new social media app that turns your memories into recommendations you can share with friends with a personalized social map. The brainchild of Eliza Wu and Jake Xia, Corner aims to move away from the negativity and complaints of traditional review platforms and focus on sharing memorable experiences. Meet the co-founders Wu has an impressive background with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Southern California and worked as an Investment Intern during her time there. She became an investment associate at JPMorgan for two years before
BLCK VC, a nonprofit for Black investors, has appointed two-time founder and investor Robert Gordon IV as its CEO. BLCK VC BLCK VC is a nonprofit organization that equips Black investors with the access, education, and community they need to accelerate their venture capital (VC) careers. Typically, Black entrepreneurs receive less than 2% of overall dollars each year in VC funding. Additionally, by the end of 2022, adverse market conditions led to a 36% drop in overall VC dollars, but Black entrepreneurs saw a 45% decrease in the financing. BLCK
A federal court has temporarily blocked Fearless Fund’s grant program for Black women entrepreneurs amid an ongoing lawsuit by the American Alliance for Equal Rights. The decision reverses last week’s ruling by US District Judge Thomas V. Thrash, ultimately denying the conservative group’s allegation that the program was racially discriminatory. The Lawsuit Against Fearless Fund Fearless Fund invests in women of color-led businesses seeking pre-seed, seed level or series A financing. The American Alliance for Equal Rights, founded by Edward Blum, brought a lawsuit against Fearless Fund in August 2023.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has asked the US Justice Department (DOJ) to investigate the deployment of the ShotSpotter gunfire detection system in Black neighborhoods. The nonprofit raised concerns about the technology being used to justify the over-policing of Black communities. What Is ShotSpotter Gunfire Detection System? ShotSpotter, owned by SoundThinking, a public safety technology company, is a gunshot detection technology. It uses acoustic sensors to detect, locate, and alert law enforcement about illegal gunfire incidents. The digital alerts include a precise location on a map, with corresponding data
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against electric car maker Telsa for tolerating widespread and racial harassment of Black employees. Widespread Racism and Retaliation The lawsuit claims that Tesla violated federal law by tolerating widespread and ongoing racial harassment of its Black employees and subjecting some workers to retaliation for opposing the harassment. According to the suit, from at least 2015 to the present, Black employees at Telsa’s Fremont, California manufacturing facilities have routinely endured racial abuse, stereotyping, and hostility. They have also been subjected
Latine communities start more businesses per capita than any other racial group in the United States. Latine or Hispanic-owned businesses also contribute over $800 billion annually to the nation’s economy. However, they often face challenges accessing the capital, resources, and support needed for the businesses to thrive. For example, in 2022, Latine and Hispanic founders received just 1.5% of venture capital funding, a drop from 2.5% the previous year. So, this Hispanic Heritage Month, we have compiled a list of resources to empower Latine tech founders nationwide! Resources For Tech Founders SoftBank
African venture capital (VC) firm Enza Capital has closed $58 million across its two funds and announced the launch of its Founder Partner Program. Enza Capital Enza Capital is a multi-stage venture fund that backs startups and founders using technology to solve meaningful problems across Sub-Saharan Africa. The Nairobi-headquartered firm invests in and partners with technology companies building in the fintech, logistics, health, human capital, and climate-smart sectors. The firm began its VC journey in 2019 when it launched an early-stage fund to find, back, and help build category-defining startups
Digital Currency Group (DCG) has announced that Professor Tonya Evans, a blockchain and digital assets expert, is joining its Board of Directors. DCG, founded in 2015 by Barry Silbert, is a venture capital company focused on the digital currency market that builds and supports bitcoin and blockchain companies. With investments in over 200 companies in 35 different countries, its mission is to accelerate the development of a better financial system. Meet Prof Tonya Evans Evans is a global leader and academic with over 20 years of experience in law, technology,
Global payments giant Visa is partnering with the UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to co-fund data science and AI scholarships for students from underrepresented backgrounds. The partnership stems from the UK’s National AI Strategy, which set out a vision to strengthen the UK’s position as an AI and science superpower over the coming decade. The Launch of Visa’s AI Scholarships The partnership aims to increase diversity in the technology sector, assisting women, Black students, disabled students, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Visa said the scheme
A federal judge in Georgia ruled that Fearless Fund, a venture capital fund for women of color, can continue offering a grant program only to Black women entrepreneurs. On Tuesday, the judge refused to issue an injunction blocking the program after a lawsuit alleged it engaged in “explicit racial exclusion”. The Lawsuit Against Fearless Fund The American Alliance for Equal Rights, founded by Edward Blum, brought a lawsuit against Fearless Fund in August 2023. It targeted the fund’s Fearless Strives Grant Contest, which awards Black women who own small businesses
