London-based fintech startup Jarvis has secured £1.8 million ($2.3 million) in funding to transform retirement planning. The funding round was led by Ascension VC and Cornerstone VC, with additional participation from Tokio Marine Future Fund. This capital injection will support Jarvis’s growth and product development as it integrates with the broader ecosystem of pension-related services. Addressing The Retirement Planning Gap In today’s workforce, financial autonomy is on the rise, with the global shift towards self-employment and gig economy work has made traditional workplace benefits like pensions increasingly inaccessible. Projections indicate
The UK government has announced plans to introduce legislation requiring companies with 250 or more employees to disclose their ethnicity and disability pay gaps. This move, part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s agenda for the upcoming year, was unveiled by King Charles III and signals a significant shift towards greater workplace equality. Extending Equal Pay Rights The proposed race and disability equality bill will, for the first time, mandate British businesses to report on the pay disparities affecting ethnic minority and disabled workers. Previously, companies were only required to report
Uncover, a Kenyan data-driven skincare brand, has successfully closed a $1.4 million seed II funding round to accelerate the growth of its innovative tech platform, introduce new products, and expand its market presence. This round, co-led by EQ2 Ventures and IgniteXL Ventures, saw participation from notable investors such as Chui Ventures, Samata Capital, and Altree Capital. Driving Personalization Through Data Founded in 2021 by Sneha Mehta (CEO), Jade Oyateru (COO), and Catherine Lee, Uncover has distinguished itself in the beauty industry by focusing on the unique skin care needs of
Wray & Nephew held their Wray Forward Pitch Night this week featuring a number of Black-owned businesses from AI music sampling to the world’s first Nigerian tapas restaurant in London. Wray Forward The Wray Forward Pitch Night saw six Black founders take to the stage to showcase their businesses and pitch to a panel of expert judges to secure grants to help their businesses grow. Part of the brand’s ongoing Wray Forward activity is in partnership with Foundervine – a program supporting Black businesses through funding, educational workshops, mentorship and
Stand with Asian Americans (SwAA), the nation’s premier civil rights organization dedicated to combating anti-Asian workplace discrimination, has introduced its Workplace Justice Fund. The fund aims to provide legal support and resources for Asians in America facing workplace discrimination. The Workplace Justice Fund The Workplace Justice Fund aims to raise $1 million by year-end, having already secured $100,000 from anonymous donors. This initiative arrives at a crucial moment, with recent studies indicating that Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) employees are considering lawsuits at higher rates than other employees of
Mexican fintech company OCN, which offers car rental models for gig workers in Mexico and the US, has successfully raised $86 million in equity and debt. The Series A funding round was led by Brazil’s Caravela Capital, with additional contributions from Collide Capital and Great North Ventures on the equity side, and New York-based i80 Group leading the debt portion. Innovative Solutions For Gig Workers Launched in 2022, OCN provides gig workers with new car rentals on a weekly fee basis, inclusive of maintenance and insurance. Users also have the
The Black AI Consortium has officially launched, aiming to encourage dialogue and advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) with Black scholars at the forefront. The consortium, established in May, seeks to provide a network for individuals across the African diaspora interested in AI, encouraging the sharing of ideas and insights while addressing current industry concerns. A Network for AI Enthusiasts Across the African Diaspora The mission of the Black AI Consortium, as reported by Black News, is to “cultivate a vibrant and supportive community where individuals of the African diaspora can
Caliza has secured $8.5 million funding. Founded in 2021 by Ezra Kebrab, the Brazil-based startup transforms cross-border transactions in Latin America through the use of crypto stablecoins. The company recently secured funding led by Initialized Capital, enabling them to expand their innovative payment solutions that leverage Circle’s USDC (USD Coin), according to TechCrunch. “Caliza is building global financial infrastructure that removes borders from commerce,” Kebrab wrote on LinkedIn. “I’m excited to unveil the latest including our recent $8.5M round.” Bringing Speed and Stability to Cross-Border Payments Unlike traditional transfers made
Data workers are exposing the severity of exploitation in the tech and AI industry through the Data Workers’ Inquiry. As part of the community-based research project, 15 data workers joined the Distributed AI Research (DAIR) Institute as community researchers to lead their own inquiry in their respective workplaces. Funded by the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research (DAIR) Institute, Weizenbaum Institute, and Technische Universität Berlin, the project sheds light on labor conditions and widespread practices in the AI industry. The Plight of African Content Moderators Fasica Berhane Gebrekidan, an ex-content moderator for
Minka, a Colombian cloud-based fintech startup, has embarked on an expansion plan to bring its innovative financial solutions to Africa. This move aims to replicate its success in Latin America by addressing the continent’s financial inclusion challenges and leveraging the growing digital payments market. Launching in Eastern and Southern Africa On July 2, 2024, Minka officially launched its operations in East Africa, marking its first expansion phase. The fintech company began its journey in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia and plans to expand to Southern African markets such as Mozambique,
