Sparkee, a Black woman-owned tech company, is revolutionizing how we charge our phones. Their new product – which is currently available for pre-order – is the fastest charging device for those constantly on the go. It is compatible with all phone models and holds two USB-C Ports, allowing users to charge three devices simultaneously. The Sparkee device is the sleekest device modernizing how we charge our phones through its wire-free programming, giving users multiple ways to charge their devices. It takes away the idea of having to “put your phone
The winner of the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic Startup Pitch Competition has finally been announced. Out of 200 startups who applied to participate in the competition, only one has made it to the finishing line. Child-friendly music app, Healthy Hip Hop, has officially been crowned the winner of the startup pitch competition. The platform, founded in 2019 by Roy Scott, is an educational app aimed at children, infusing hip-hop culture with innovative technology. Last year, Michael B. Jordan announced that the Invesco QQQ startup pitch competition had returned for its second year in partnership
It’s time for all journalists to get into their bag. Black-owned digital media and tech company, Hero Media, has launched Goodfeed, a social wellness platform for women from diverse backgrounds. On Goodfeed, in-house journalists get paid royalties for their work using money generated from ad rolls. The online platform – which has built a community for Black and brown women – has been described as another version of YouTube where users can share their editorial content, written articles, audio, and videos. Through Goodfeed, Black women can connect and share fitness,
Fintech companies in Nigeria are rapidly growing. In Q1 last year, funding for African startups hit a new record, with approximately 89% of all funding allocated to fintech startups in the region. Nigeria is one of many African countries working to make financial services accessible to everyone. As smartphone users grow and digital IDs become the norm – all eyes are on fintech startups to pave the way for financial inclusion in Nigeria. Nigeria’s mission to achieve financial inclusion A quick Google search will tell you that there are at least 150 fintech
If you’ve been on TikTok lately, chances are you’ve come across food critic, Keith Lee. The MMA fighter-turned-food critic has dedicated his online platform to helping underrepresented Black-owned restaurants get the spotlight they deserve. In a recent video, popular TikToker Keith Lee revealed that he had helped a struggling Black business raise $30,000 in under 24 hours. Through his honest but rewarding TikTok reviews, struggling businesses have seen an enormous influx of customers, with many going from no customers to completely selling out. After making his way home, Lee spotted
Black people are strong but even more powerful when they come together. This is a statement Nia-Tayler Clark, founder of BLACKLIT, can heavily relate to. After receiving an unexpected eviction notice, social media users united to help Nia-Tayler Clark save her bookstore from closure. The online book community founded in 2019 initially began as a project in Clark’s tiny one-bedroom apartment. In a short time, the project blossomed and became the first Black-owned bookstore in Dallas, Texas. “BLACKLIT started in 2019, in my tiny one-bedroom apartment, with my toddler on my
Toye Onikoyi, Kelechi Agwunobi, Etebom Samuel, and Larry Adigun are the brains behind The Muse Mirror – also known as the mirror of the future – a one-of-kind virtual mirror that aims to shake up the beauty industry. Who is Toye Onikoyi? Rhode Island entrepreneur, Toye Onikoyi, is an experienced software engineer with an impressive tech portfolio that spans many years. After graduating from The University of Rhode Island in 2016, Onikoyi spent the first few years of his career working his way up from a Research Engineer to a Software
The Plug and Omidyar Network have partnered to introduce The Black Tech Effect Report, the first of its kind to measure the social impact of high-growth, Black-led tech companies worldwide. What is The Black Tech Effect Report? Traditional analysis platforms have overlooked black tech founders for decades. As a result, the off-the-mark analysis has created a false narrative around the progression of Black-led tech companies. To redefine how we view Black success, The Plug and Omidyar Network have created a report that measures social impact instead of the ‘number of
The idea of running a business is exciting, but there is no denying that being a startup founder can be an overwhelming experience. From managing finances to staying on top of social media trends, many business owners wear multiple hats to keep their business functioning. According to The Plug’s analysis of Census Bureau data, approximately 10% of businesses that employed less than 20 people were forced to close in 2020. Likewise, statistics have shown that 45% of entrepreneurs have reported feeling stressed, which has led to mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
Has your phone ever died while you were outside and couldn’t find a charging point anywhere? We’ve all been there. This common problem is why WiGL – pronounced wiggle – is working to make wireless electrical power accessible for everyone. Dr. Ahmad Glover, founder and interim CEO of the Wireless-electric Grid Local Air network (WiGL), is designing a network that says goodbye to cords and wires. What problem is WiGL trying to solve? The world relies heavily on portable battery power. As a result, the battery has become one of the most
