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
Former NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick has announced the launch of Lumi, an AI-powered storytelling platform. Lumi aims to change the storytelling process, allowing individuals to create, publish, and monetize their stories regardless of their skill set. The platform offers end-to-end story creation, simple AI tools, and both physical and digital publishing options, making it easier for creators to bring their stories to life. With the added benefit of built-in merchandising, creators retain full ownership of their work, bypassing traditional industry gatekeepers. Addressing Gaps in Storytelling Kaepernick’s inspiration for
POSH, the app designed to enhance social experiences, has successfully raised $22 million in a Series A funding round. This milestone was achieved with investments from Goodwater Capital, FirstMark Capital, Companyon Ventures, and Epic Ventures, alongside existing investor Day One Ventures. Pioneering Real-Life Social Experiences Founded by Avante Price and Eli Taylor-Lemire, POSH has already made strides, amassing over 2 million users and facilitating more than $95 million in ticket sales. The app has seen a 1400% year-over-year increase in matching attendees to relevant events, showcasing its growing influence in
In response to the success of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us: The Game,” Drake fans have quickly followed suit by launching their own video game, “Family Matters: The Game.” The move comes after Lamar’s game captivated over 1.2 million players within its first 36 hours. Kendrick Lamar’s Viral Success Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us: The Game” has taken the gaming world by storm since its release last week. Developed by Richie Branson, also known as Marcus Brown II, the game is inspired by Lamar’s song “Not Like Us.” In the
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
Protexxa, a cybersecurity startup, has successfully secured $10 million Canadian dollars ($7.2 million USD) in Series A funding, the largest round ever raised by a sole Black woman founder in Canada. Claudette McGowan, a renowned information technology and cybersecurity executive, founded Protexxa with a vision to enhance global cyber defenses through improved personal cyber hygiene. Innovating Cybersecurity with AI-Powered Solutions Protexxa’s flagship platform, Protexxa Defender, uses AI to quickly identify, evaluate, and resolve cyber issues. The platform addresses a need in the cybersecurity landscape, where 90% of cyber attacks are
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
Kickstarter has announced the appointment of Courtney Brown Warren as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Warren, who joined Kickstarter in April 2023, has been key in driving several successful marketing initiatives. As CMO, she will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Kickstarter’s marketing strategy, including product marketing, creative, communications, content, social media, experiential, partnerships, and sponsorships. Warren will also manage Kickstarter’s sales and community outreach strategy, focusing on cultivating a passionate, engaged, and empowered community on the platform. A Proven Leader in Marketing Brown Warren brings over two
Black Girl Sunscreen (BGS) has achieved remarkable success, earning $1.1 million in just three months on Amazon, according to AfroTech. A Vision Rooted in Necessity In 2016, Shontay Lundy created BGS, a 30 SPF lotion formulated for women of color. Recognizing this gap, she invested $33,000 of her own money to create a product that wouldn’t leave the notorious white residue on darker skin tones. Made with melanated skin in mind, BGS dries completely clear and protects melanin without the white-cast that normal skin care tends to leave, according to
Escala, a CRM platform for Hispanic small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has raised $12 million in its latest funding round. This milestone, led by IGNIA and Alaya Capital, marks a step in the company’s mission to empower Hispanic businesses in the United States and Latin America. High Alpha and other investors also participated in the round. Revolutionizing SMB Marketing and Sales Founded by renowned tech entrepreneur Andrés Moreno, also the founder of Open English, Escala offers a marketing and sales platform. The platform addresses critical challenges faced by Hispanic SMBs
