Nigeria has launched its first multilingual Large Language Model (LLM), announced Minister Bosun Tijani of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. The initiative took place following a comprehensive four-day AI workshop in Abuja. The multilingual LLM is developed with local AI firm Awarritech, global tech entity DataDotOrg, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR). Capitalizing on a Growing Market With predictions from Statista that the AI market could reach $890 millon in 2024 and expand to $8.75 billion by 2030, Nigeria’s investment
Through venture capital, Ohio has gave $86 million to early-stage tech companies in women – minority-owned or underserved areas. The money comes from the federally funded State Small Business Credit Initiative Venture Capital program and will be invested in 11 professionally managed funds. Ohio Funding These funds are aimed at investing in companies focused on things such as health care, manufacturing and food technologies. The funds were eligible to apply for between $5 million and $10 million. “These awards will help spur innovation by fostering a diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem and accelerating the
African tech startup Kubik has announced a $5.2 million seed funding round, making it the first Ethiopian company to raise a multi-million dollar investment in climate and sustainability solutions. Ethiopia’s First Company To Raise Multi-Million Climate Investment Kubik, named the Global Startup of the Year 2023, is an environmental company that uses tech to help countries reduce their carbon and plastic footprint. They turn hard-to-recycle plastic waste into low-cost, low-carbon, interlocking building material by removing environmental waste and creating ultra-durable, safe, affordable buildings. They are on a mission to build dignity through clean and affordable
IBM employees in Brazil are challenging the tech company’s classification of them as sales workers rather than tech workers, according to Rest of World. Legal Battle for Recognition A legal battle in Minas Gerais set a precedent in 2018 when a regional court ruled in favor of the IT workers’ union. The court ordered IBM to acknowledge the union as the legal representative of its employees in the state, recognizing them not as sales personnel but as tech workers. This changed the benefits these employees could access, including a reduced workweek
Gwinnett County commissioners have recently approved launching the county’s first Black-owned pilot school, the Lookup Flight Academy. This initiative, led by Michael Ojo, aims to empower a new generation of aviators with the skills and knowledge needed for careers in aviation. Ojo’s passion for flying sparked nearly a decade ago, and his vision for the Lookup Flight Academy is about getting more minorities into aviation while helping them build careers as pilots. Addressing Underrepresentation in Aviation The Lookup Flight Academy, set to operate at the Gwinnett County Airport, aims to address
50 Cent has launched a new G-Unit Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana. At 956,000 square feet, G-Unit Studios is the second largest Black-owned production studio behind Tyler Perry Studios. G-Unit Studios Lands IN Shreveport 50’s company, G-Unit Film & Television Inc., launched in 2005, currently houses his most successful television projects, such as STARZ TV series Power, which includes Raising Kanan, Force, Ghost and the series BMF. “I’m excited to announce the expansion of G-Unit Film & Television through the launch of my G-Unit Studios right here in Shreveport #allroadsleadtoshreveport,” 50 wrote on
Artists including Drake, Rihanna, The Weeknd, and Kendrick Lamar are returning to TikTok, as the platform has reached a new agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG). UMG had recently begun pulling its music from TikTok after their old contract expired, and the two companies couldn’t reach an agreement in new negotiations. What Does The New Partnership Mean? The joint agreement aims to mark a new era of collaboration, built on a shared commitment to help UMG’s artists and songwriters achieve their creative and commercial potential. They are also working together to realize new monetization opportunities utilizing
Operation HOPE And Small Business Adminstration Renews Partnership To Empower Minority Entrepreneurs
Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit focused on entrepreneurship and financial literacy, has renewed its Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) with the US Small Business Administration (SBA). The collaboration aims to uplift small businesses nationwide, with an emphasis on minority-owned enterprises. Expanding Access to Essential Resources During a recent visit to Operation HOPE’s headquarters, SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman and other officials met with the leadership of Operation HOPE. They discussed strategies to extend resources to entrepreneurs, particularly those in underserved communities. Under the renewed agreement, both organizations will enhance access to
Ovom Care, a pioneering German startup in the fertility sector, recently closed €4.8 million ($5.1 million) in seed funding to expand its services across Europe, according to Tech Funding News. Led by an all-female founding team, Ovom Care is at the forefront of integrating empathetic reproductive healthcare by using a combination of generative AI and computer vision. This investment round, led by Alpha Intelligence Capital and supported by Ananda Impact Ventures and Merantix, makes the company’s total funding €6.1 million ($6.5 million). The startup is set to open its first clinic in Portugal by late 2024,
Latinas & Power Corp. has announced the launch and expansion of the Latinas in Leadership Institute (LiLi), an initiative to empower Latina professionals and entrepreneurs across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and beyond. The six-month virtual leadership and advocacy certificate program is tailored for Latina professionals and community leaders in their early to mid-career stages. Empowering Through Diversity and Inclusion LiLi stands out by integrating participants from diverse sectors, including private, academic, government, and non-profit grassroots organizations. This approach fosters a rich exchange of perspectives and ideas, enhancing the learning experience and contributing
