The tech industry has spent a decade publicly reckoning with its diversity problem. Still, Black and Hispanic workers hold just 7% and 8% of computer worker roles in the U.S., though they represent 11% and 17% of the country’s total workforce, respectively, according to the Pew Research Center. With the Metaverse becoming increasingly popular, it’s important to hold those in power accountable. Earlier this year, reporter Yinka Bokinni wrote a piece in the Guardian about her experiences in the Metaverse. “But within the first 10 minutes of putting on a
Here is our latest roundup of tech headlines from across the African continent. Kune, a Kenyan food-tech startup that delivered ready-to-eat meals at affordable prices, has closed its doors, the company’s founder and CEO Robin Reecht announced. In a statement posted to his LinkedIn page, Reecht cited a stifled economy and inflated food prices as circumstances that contributed to Kune’s closure. “With the current economic downturn and investment markets tightening up, we were unable to raise our next round. Coupled with rising food costs deteriorating our margins, we just couldn’t keep going,” he said.
Green NFT platform, OneOf, has launched an exclusive NFT collection, allowing fans to collectively license the audio recording of the Notorious B.I.G.’s most famous freestyle. The collection, in partnership with the Christopher Wallace estate, will provide collectors with a series of 3D profile picture (P.F.P.) NFT collectibles, also known as avatars. The characters on offer will be inspired by Biggie Small’s life, style, lyrics, and fashion. Biggie Smalls, who tragically passed away in a drive-by shooting in 1997, immensely influenced the hip-hop scene we all know and love today. In
Dragon’s Den star Steven Bartlett is seeking “fledgling entrepreneurs” to take part in a secret BBC show. The Social Chain co-founder has called on business leaders in the e-commerce world to participate. Mr. Bartlett is working on the project with BBC Studios but has kept quiet on the finer details. In a message posted on LinkedIn, the entrepreneur said applications have to be free to be filmed on July 8, 2022, between 8 am and 5 pm in East London. He added anyone who is interested should e-mail businessg@bbc.co.uk. Mr. Bartlett
Black-owned tech firm, Eminent Future, known for providing software development, project management, and analytics services to a range of businesses, has been awarded over $13 billion in a defense contract with the US Airforce and US Spaceforce. Eminent Future, co-founded by José Risi and Isaac Barnes in 2009, has grown into one of Virginia’s fastest-growing companies. The tech firm, which led software development teams for both President Obama and President Trump’s administrations, uses AI technology to build the framework of their products. The platform, which “prioritizes people over technology,” works directly with organizations to help
For many Black entrepreneurs, getting funding for their business is a daunting and disproportionately difficult task, especially because only about 1% of all venture dollars goes to Black founders, according to Crunchbase, despite Black and African Americans making up 13% of the U.S. population. But a trio of Black Techstars alumni — who each raised at least a million dollars in seed capital for their business — met at Startup Hall at the University of Washington to share their experience of raising capital. They also offered advice for Black founders looking to
Ghana-based Fintech company, Fido, has raised $30 million in equity investment in a Series A funding round. The funding round, led by the equity fund company, Fortissimo Capital, included venture capital firm Yard Ventures and a series of other private angel investors. Fido, co-founded by Nadav Topolski, Nir Zepkowitz, and Tomer Edry in 2012, provides mobile loans of up to $250 to small businesses and individuals. In addition, the fintech company aims to build a digital bank, which will give hundreds of adults in Africa access to flexible loans and other financial services, which
The online technology platform, Kibo School, known for providing online degrees for students across Africa, has raised $2 million in seed funding. The funding round, which venture capital firm Neo led, included African investment company Future Africa, Brooklyn Bridge Ventures, and Transcends Ventures. In addition, a range of different angel investors also participated in the seed funding round. Kibo School, co-founded by Ope Bukola in 2021, aims to provide affordable and high-quality programs for anyone interested in building a career in tech. The curriculum, based on the Human Skills Matrix,
Edlyft is taking the $100 million diversity and inclusion tech market by storm. The edtech startup, founded by longtime friends Erika Hairston and Arnelle Ansong in 2020, provides support for college students and adult learners in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses. Their mission is to provide the right environment and tools for the next generation of engineers to succeed and, hopefully, get one step closer to closing the gender gap in STEM. Their digital platform connects learners to inclusive mentorship, online group tutoring, live and recorded sessions, and personalized study
Athletic champions Naomi Osaka and LeBron James have announced the launch of their new media production company, Hana Kuma. Hana Kuma, founded by the four-time Grand Slam tennis champion Naomi Osaka and NBA legend LeBron James, will produce documentaries, feature television shows, and anime programs for a global audience. The production company will primarily focus on highlighting stories from marginalized groups yet to be covered by mainstream media outlets. “I’ve built my career taking a different approach than others around me,” Naomi Osaka said in an Instagram post. “Because my journey has
