Join our Patreon for extra-long episodes and ad-free content. In this episode, Techish hosts Michael and Abadesi break down startup hype culture, especially all the smoke and mirrors around AI. They chat about tweaking revenue numbers, investors turning a blind eye, and why tech needs more ethics and less ego. They also chat about Apple’s latest WWDC drops, MAGA influencers in the White House, and why good journalism still matters. Chapters00:25 Unicorn Faked Its AI With 700 Indian Engineers? 16:09 Can Liquid Glass Rescue Apple From Its Flop Era? 25:18
Nigeria is preparing to set up a $40 million fund to back early-stage technology startups, strengthening its support for entrepreneurs who have typically relied on private investors. Semafor reported that the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Japanese government’s overseas development assistance arm, is investing half of the fund. The remainder will be matched by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), as Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, head of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), stated. $40 Million Fund to support startups in Nigeria The fund is part of Nigeria’s broader commitment
Tech company Yango Group has launched Yango Venture, a corporate venture intended to support hopeful startups across sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, as stated by Gulf Business. The fund will target Series B investments in the online-to-offline (O2O), B2B software-as-a-service, and financial technology industries. Yango Group also hopes to grow its capital base as entrepreneurial environments expand in these promising markets. “With Yango Ventures, we are leveraging our expertise and network to support startups in scaling, thriving, and creating meaningful impact in their
It’s February, which means it’s finally Black History Month. It’s a time when Black people reflect on the triumphs, victories, and achievements Black people have made in the country. While it’s essential to look back at what Black people have overcome, it’s also important to acknowledge the history Black people are making today. Black innovators are shaping the future in every industry, and the tech world is no exception. Here, we spotlight eight Black-owned tech startups that are driving change, creating opportunities, and making a real impact in Black communities.
The UK startup Domna has secured a £70 million ($87 million) majority investment from private equity firm Leon Capital, according to Tech Funding News. The company is one of the leading home energy efficiency and retrofit services, and it has now received one of the biggest first-time raises for a female founder team in Europe. The team plans to improve home energy efficiency and support sustainability initiatives. Their outlook on home energy efficiency examines the UK’s retrofit challenge by combining advanced software with practical expertise. Now that Domna has the
Robin AI, a Black-owned legal AI startup, has won second place on the Startups 100 index. The startup uses AI to automate contract reviews, slashing costs and freeing up legal teams. Last year, it raised $25 million in a unique extension of its Series B funding round. The company was founded in 2019 by former Clifford Chance lawyer Richard Robinson and machine learning researcher James Clough. “Robin AI are truly ground breaking in their innovation, aiming to cut down legal processing times. Despite the challenges, the UK is still a
Black-owned organizations Afropunk, Walk Good LA, and Community Aid Dena have raised over $10 million for Black families displaced by the Los Angeles fires. Since January 7, the wildfires had caused the displacement of over 100,00 people, displaced 12,000 structures, and killed at least 24 people, according to The Guardian. The fires have significantly impacted Black communities in LA. The New York Times reported that although only 8% of the general population of LA is Black, 21% of the residents affected by the fire in Altadena are Black people. Which
BlackRock Inc. executive Adebayo Ogunlesi has joined OpenAI’s board of directors. The billionaire investor has experience in infrastructure investing, aligning with OpenAI’s to expand data centers and energy resources to grow AI development. Ogunlesi, a senior managing director and board member at BlackRock, joined the company last year after it bought his previous business, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), for around $12 billion, making him a billionaire. Who is Adebayo Ogunlesi? Ogunlesi created GIP in 2006 before spending 23 years at Credit Suisse, holding several senior positions such as Executive Vice
Startups in Africa raised $2.2 billion in 2024, with Kenyan startups receiving the most funding, according to Africa: The Big Deal. For the second year in a row, Kenya secured the most funding in Africa, raising $638 million, with 88% of the total amount raised in East Africa. How much money was raised in Kenya and East Africa? East Africa raised $725 million in total, equal to 1 in 3 dollars raised in Africa. Kenya received $638 million in funding on its own, which makes up 88% of the overall
Africa’s startups raised $2.2 billion in equity, grants, and debt (excluding exits). While this is an impressive figure, it highlights a 25% decrease compared to last year, when startups in Africa secured $2.9 billion, according to ‘Africa: The Big Deal.’ Who were the major key players? The total of $2.2 billion was primarily driven by two significant deals by Nigeria’s Moniepoint and South Africa’s Tyme Group. A gross of 188 ventures secured $1 million or greater (excluding exits) in funding, 10% less given in 2023 despite the 25% dip in
