New York-based fintech startup Comun is redefining the bank experience for Latine immigrant communities in the US and reimaging local banking for the digital world. Founded in 2021 by Andres Santos, CEO, and Abiel Gutierrez, CTO, both of whom experienced financial exclusion upon migrating to the US, Comun has secured $9 million in funding to date. Banking Disparities in the Latine Community The Latine population contributes a staggering $3.2 trillion to the US GDP. This makes it the world’s fifth-largest economy, more than the GDPs of India, the UK, and
Vennard Wright is reinvesting profits into PerVista, an AI-powered gun detection technology to reduce gun violence. Wright founded Wave Welcome – an IT management company – in 2020 to deliver technology and cybersecurity services that empower dynamic organizations. It makes money from managing internal IT systems of businesses, universities, and government organizations, then invests profits into its own side projects. Wave Welcome is now working on a gun detection tech project, PerVista. Gun Detection Tech PerVista recognizes the increasing importance of digital security and built a solution to consolidate essential
Every year, Forbes releases their long-awaited list of young innovators shaping today’s world. This year marks Forbes 30 Under 30’s 13th annual list of entrepreneurs. The list featured a handful of Black people innovating in tech, from tackling toxic language online to working on the first crewed space mission to Mars. So, let’s meet some of them. Tony Morino, Co-Founder of Wiseday Morino co-founded Wiseday in 2021 to help Canadian homeowners get the best and cheapest mortgage rates. Morina co-founded the company with his friends and long-time acquaintances in 2021
Pika, the company redesigning the entire video-making and editing experience with AI, is making its public debut. The launch comes alongside the announcement of its $35 million Series A round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners. “Our vision for Pika is to enable everyone to be the director of their own stories and to bring out the creator in each of us,” stated the company in a blog post. “Today, we reached a milestone that brings us closer to our vision.” An Idea-to-video platform Founded by Demi Guo, CEO, and Chenlin Meng,
Issac Hayes III’s social media platform Fanbase has announced its current equity crowdfunding round has crossed $4.50M. Fanbase Platform Fanbase, launched by Hayes, is a social media platform designed to enable Black creators to cultivate their audiences and monetize their contributions effectively. According to a 2021 study by The Influencer League involving US-based creators, the pay gap between white influencers and influencers of color is 29%. When narrowed further between white and Black influencers, the margin rises to 35%. Fanbase differentiates from other platforms that need brand partnerships or ad
Aphonzo Terrell, who was laid off from Twitter last year, confirmed that his app Spill, which gained popularity within the Black community, has recently raised a $2M extension round and had celebrity investments. The Spill App Terrell and DeVaris Brown – CEO and CTO of Spill – are both former Twitter – now known as X – employees. The two met on their first day working at Twitter after noticing they were the only Black guys on their team. However, when Elon Musk bought Twitter, Terrell was laid off from
Shero Comics, a LA-based multimedia company, is raising funds to bring video games to life that feature women and girls of color. Shero Comics LA-based Shero Comics aims to help women and girls of color find their superpowers in geekdom by building diverse IPs leveraged with technology. The company was founded in 2016 by award-winning writer, creator, and Shero CEO Shequeta L. Smith. After witnessing the lack of Black women and girls in comics and comic book movies, Smith launched Shero Comics, intending to create a renaissance of Black standalone
MM, a dating app that merges technology with real-life experiences, has raised £600K ($750K) in seed funding. The Dating App MM MM, launched in 2019, is a dating and events technology app merging AI with real-life events designed to help singles connect both in the app and in person. The company hosts events and experiences tailored for members to meet and network in person while doing the things they enjoy. MM is available to and has members from all races and genders but considers key cultural nuances within African, Caribbean,
Neon Money Club has partnered with American Express (Amex) to launch the Neon Money Club Cream American Express Card, making it the first Black-owned company to establish an American Express Card. Neon Money Club, co-founded by Luke Bailey and Jackie Liao, is an invite-only money club that aims to create an environment that allows users to become financially empowered while bypassing hurdles often faced. Members get access to invest in the US stock market, hyper-relevant financial content, and now their new Cream Card. The Cream Card Neon Money Club designed
Wellington Access Ventures (WAV) has raised $150 million for its debut, with the backing of limited partners, including state pension plans and banks. Led by four Black investors, WAV seeks to become a go-to investor for early-stage founders from underrepresented backgrounds. Wellington Access Ventures Founded in 2021, Wellington Access Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Wellington Management, based in Boston, Massachusetts. Investors include the fund’s leaders, Jackson Cummings, Frederik Groce, Van Jones, and Sasha McKenzie. All four investors were involved in some capacity in BLCK VC, the non-profit
