Nigerian fintech startup Billboxx has raised $1.6 million in a pre-seed funding round, aiming to empower African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with cash flow management solutions. The funding, a combination of debt and equity, was led by Norrsken Accelerator, Kaleo Ventures, 54 Collective, P2Vest, and Afrinovation Ventures. Addressing SME Cash Flow Issues Founded in 2023 by Justus Obaoye and Abdulazeez Ogunjobi, Billboxx offers invoice financing and payment processing services to help SMEs combat cash flow challenges caused by delayed payments from enterprise clients. The platform facilitates upfront payments for
Amazon is stepping up its efforts to close the digital divide with the launch of its AWS Education Equity Initiative, as first reported by Fortune. The program commits $100 million over the next five years to support underserved and underrepresented communities in accessing educational technology. Breaking Barriers With Cloud and AI The initiative, funded through AWS cloud credits, will help educational organizations create and expand digital learning opportunities. Swami Sivasubramanian, AWS Vice President of AI and Data, emphasized to Fortune that AI is a transformative tool, likening its significance to
Latina-owned fintech platform Hello Alice has announced it has distributed more than $50 million in grants to small businesses across the US since 2020. Founded by Carolyn Rodz and Elizabeth Gore, the digital platform has become a cornerstone of support for entrepreneurs nationwide, providing funding, mentorship, and tools to help their businesses grow. Empowering Entrepreneurs Nationwide Hello Alice was born out of co-founder and CEO Carolyn Rodz’s struggles as an entrepreneur. A former JPMorgan investment banker from Bolivia, Rodz told American Banker she faced significant hurdles when raising capital for
Gig Wage, Dallas-based payments platform for the gig economy, has relaunched with a $8.25 million Series A funding extension, bringing total funding to $20.2 million. The company is also rolling out new tools designed to streamline payroll and benefits for independent contractors. A Fresh Start After Challenges Gig Wage’s latest funding round includes new investors Discover, Motley Fool, and Chartline Capital Partners, with additional support from existing backers like Green Dot and Foundry Group. The funding comes after a challenging period for the company, which had to rebuild its platform
Sandbox Wealth, a modern banking platform tailored for non-bank financial institutions, has raised $1.25 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by NextGen Venture Partners with additional backing from Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, gener8tor, and RevTech Labs. Transforming Wealth Management Founded in 2023 by Ray Denis, Sandbox Wealth seeks to fill gaps in the wealth management sector by offering a platform that integrates deposits, lending, and advanced analytics. This innovation particularly benefits Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and Family Offices by providing tools that enhance client relationships and support business
The Forbes 30 Under 30 North America 2025 list is out, showcasing exceptional talent across industries. This year, we’re highlighting some of the young Black people in tech who are driving progress through innovation, equity, and leadership. Jordan Taylor, 29 | Founder, Vizcom Jordan Taylor is the creative force behind Vizcom, a startup that uses AI to turn sketches into 3D designs. The former Nvidia industrial designer launched Vizcom in 2021 with cofounder Kaelan Richards, helping companies like Ford and New Balance streamline product development. Today, Vizcom boasts 65 enterprise
Colorintech has launched an initiative, “AI for Everyone,” backed by over $1 million in funding from the Juniper Networks Foundation. This program is set to provide accessible AI training and career opportunities for underrepresented communities across the UK. According to a press release shared with POCIT, the goal is to reach 30,000 individuals through awareness campaigns and train 5,000 people in AI skills by 2027. Training And Awareness To Close The AI Skills Gap Building on its eight-year history of promoting diversity in tech, Colorintech will develop a free AI
Each year, the BBC honors 100 inspiring and influential women from around the globe, celebrating their contributions to society across various fields. This listicle highlights the women of color in tech who have earned a spot on the BBC 100 Women list this year. Gabriela Salas Cabrera, Mexico Gabriela Salas Cabrera is a programmer and data scientist whose work bridges technology and cultural preservation. When her mother tongue, Náhuatl, was missing from Google Translate, Salas took action. Collaborating with the tech giant, she helped integrate Náhuatl and other indigenous Mexican
9fin, a London-based debt market intelligence startup, has secured $50 million in Series B funding led by Highland Europe, a prominent growth capital investor. As first reported by The Financial Times, this latest funding is expected to drive 9fin’s expansion, particularly in the United States, where the company’s growth is accelerating. It also marks a milestone in 9fin’s journey, bringing total funding to nearly $90 million since its inception in 2016. Aiming for Billion-Dollar Revenues Co-founded by Huss El-Sheikh and Steven Hunter, 9fin began as a response to the lack
Michael Rainey Jr., star of PowerBook II: Ghost, has introduced a $2.4 million financial literacy program targeting high school students in his hometown of Staten Island, New York. In partnership with the Restoring America Recovery Education (RARE) Foundation and Equifax, the initiative—called “Educate a Student. Protect Yourself”—aims to provide up to 250,000 students with the tools they need to secure their financial futures. Empowering Students With Financial Knowledge Rainey officially launched the program on November 24 at Port Richmond High School, where he engaged directly with students, sharing his journey
