From podcast host to launching his own VC fund, Steven Bartlett is gearing up to invest in the development of the next generation. Steven Bartlett, star of Dragons’ Den and host of the most downloaded podcast in Europe, The Diary of a CEO, has set his sights on a new mission. The entrepreneur has announced the launch of the Flight Story Fund – a $100 million VC fund dedicated to advancing early-stage companies. Bartlett has spent the past two years working towards the launch of this fund. Over this time, he
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a $30 million pre-seed and seed matching fund program to help early-stage startup companies. The funding for the program will come from the State Small Business Credit Initiative to provide extra support to small businesses owned by historically marginalized individuals, including Black and brown entrepreneurs and traditionally disadvantaged individuals. The initiative, part of New York’s $500 million federal investment, aims to help small businesses recover from the pandemic and rebuild local economies. As a part of the program, Governor Hochul will offer early-stage startup companies
Black-owned AI entertainment company tap. is on a mission to change the entertainment business for good. The pre-seed funding round The funding round aims to enhance tap.’s products by introducing more efficient ways for people to come together and connect. In collaboration with productions such as Marvel DC, HBO, and Disney, tap.’s primary goal is to deploy the right machine-learning technology to enhance users’ experiences. “We are excited to grow out network of support around the tap. app through the latest funding round, which will enable us to execute our strategic company
A lack of inclusive and welcoming work environments is contributing to poor retention rates among young diverse tech workers, finds a new report by Wiley Edge. In a survey of 2,000 18 to 24-year-old UK tech workers, only 1 in 5 said they liked their company’s culture. Another 1 in 5 felt welcomed by their colleagues. Black respondents were the least—and white respondents the most—likely to say they liked and felt welcome in their company’s culture. When asked why they had ever left or wanted to leave a tech role,
In a recent Twitter thread, Brandon Bryant, partner at the early-stage investment firm, Harlem Capital, broke down the steps every startup should know about VC fund returns. Venture capitalists (VCs) buy a stake in a founder’s idea, investing in their company’s balance sheet and infrastructure, before exiting. What VCs are aiming for are sufficient returns at an acceptable level of risk. This is because they, too, have investors whose money they need to multiply. Why should founders care about this? Bryant explains that by running the math, founders can understand
One hundred years after the Tulsa race massacre saw the US’ wealthiest Black community burn to the ground, Tulsa is experiencing a resurgence of Black entrepreneurial community. The Black Tech Street, founded by Tyrance Billingsley II, is a network committed to scaling and cultivating Black potential through tech and entrepreneurship. The community provides a safe space for Black entrepreneurs and visionaries to thrive and grow, creating a model that creates space for people to build inclusive and equitable economies. The global Black tech hub, based in the heart of Tulsa, has
Lenovo has partnered with multi-award-winning actor, producer, recording artist, label president, and entrepreneur Queen Latifah to support small businesses. Launched last year, the tech giant’s Evolve Small program provides North American small businesses with financial aid, tech resources, community support, and business mentorship. “I understand the hardships small businesses face and how much more challenging those hardships can be for businesses owned by women and minorities,” Queen Latifah explained. “Knowing how the support I received back when I got started helped me get to where I am today – I’m excited to
Workbnb is on a mission to become the one-stop solution for workforce rentals, providing comfortable housing for traveling workers. Founded by Yeves Perez and headed up by Daj’Anique Staples, the startup is part of Techstars, one of the largest pre-seed investment programs in the world. A gap in the market At the height of the pandemic in 2021, while working for his mother’s company, Perez noticed a gap in a multi-billion dollar industry. Businesses often need to provide their employees with temporary accommodation for extended periods. However, Perez realized that the travel rental industry largely neglected
Venture capital (VC) investment in African startups has seen a 33% increase compared to this time last year, according to gathered by The Big Deal. This follows similar reports of funding for African startups hitting new records in the first half of 2022. So far this year, more than 800 investors have contributed to at least one $100K+ startup deals on the continent. Investors have also been far more active than in previous years. For example, 250 firms made at least two investments (45% more than in 2021), and 60 partook
Vice President Harris has announced several new initiatives to expand opportunities for underserved and disadvantaged entrepreneurs, including people of color. The announcement came as Harris joined Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at the 2022 Freedman’s Bank Forum. What was announced? VP Harris’ latest efforts include: Government contractsA memorandum to government agencies setting individualized goals for an unprecedented 12% of 2023 federal procurement dollars to be directed towards Small, Disadvantaged Businesses. New lendersA proposed expansion of the Small Business Administration lender base by lifting the moratorium on new Small Business Lending Companies (SBLCs),
