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Ethiopian sustainable tech startup Kubik has scored a first for the country. According to a press release sent to AFROTECH™, it has raised $5.2 million in a seed round. Investors include East African venture capital firm African Renaissance Partners, Endgame Capital, and King Philanthropies. It will now further its work in using plastic waste to make affordable buildings and removing waste from the environment. “Kubik’s vision to build safe and affordable living for all speaks directly to King Philanthropies’ mission to catalyze solutions at the intersection of climate and livelihoods,” Kartick Kumar, managing director at King Philanthropies, said in a press release. “Kubik is at the forefront of innovation in Ethiopia and across the African market, and we’re proud to support the tremendous impact they’re making combatting plastic waste and providing safe, durable, and affordable housing.” The funding round makes Kubik the first Ethiopian country to earn a multi-million-dollar...
Ghanaian health tech startup mPharma — which works to improve access to medicines — is continuing its mission to provide innovative financing and accessibility solutions in the medical field by expanding its markets to Ethiopia, TechCrunch reports. As one of the toughest markets to enter to date, extending mPharma’s operations to the East African country will only help the startup achieve its goal of ruling African healthcare. The company — which was founded in 2013 by Daniel Shoukimas, Gregory Rockson and James Finucane — has established a system that specializes in vendor-managed inventory, retail pharmacy operations and market intelligence on behalf of the hospitals, pharmacies and patients it serves. As outlined by TechCrunch, Africa’s $50 million pharmaceutical market still faces challenges such as low stock of inventory and excessive prices that make it difficult for many Africans to get ahold of the medications they need to treat their illnesses. mPharma’s goal is to...
Recent documentaries reveal how social media algorithms and other artificial intelligence (AI) programs often do not treat users of certain backgrounds equally. Computer scientist Rediet Abebe aims to fix that. Born in Ethiopia, Abebe moved to America to attend Harvard University where she received her M.S. in applied mathematics and B.A. in mathematics. She completed her Ph.D in computer science at Cornell University. During her studies she noticed how some vulnerable populations in wealthy nations do not have access to vital resources, according to Technology Review. She uses her skills in computational techniques to address the disconnect between people who write and deploy AI and those using it. In a Forbes article written by Abebe, she highlights why diversity is the solution. “ Just as AI systems susceptible to bias are a problem, so too is inadequate focus on contributions that improve the lives of marginalized communities, such as Black and brown individuals, economically...
Ethiopia Habtemariam has elevated to new heights at Motown! In an announcement today (March 1), Universal Music Group named Habtemariam chairman & CEO of Motown. Since 2014, she has served as the label’s president and will now report directly to UMG Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge. Under Habtemariam’s leadership, Motown remains committed to its traditions of artist development and partnerships with creative and entrepreneurial entities which include Atlanta-based Quality Control Music (QC). The partnership with QC has created hits from Migos, Lil Yachty, City Girls, and more and the label is well on its way to becoming one of the leading hip-hop and R&B music and entertainment companies. “Motown is such an important voice, and just as when it was founded by Berry Gordy, its impact continues to be felt around the world,” said Grainge in a statement. “Motown’s resurgence and powerful partnership under Ethiopia’s leadership has advanced the label’s legacy as home to some of today’s...
Forward-thinking innovations in Africa are what keeps the continent ahead of the game in leading the future for us all. Thanks to entrepreneur Feleg Tsegaye, Africa’s momentum in the food space is seeing an uptick after launching Deliver Addis, Ethiopia’s first online restaurant delivery company, Face2Face Africa reports. Tsegaye — who was born to exiled Ethiopian parents in the U.S. — moved to Ethiopia when he was 24-years-old to begin his ambitious business endeavor. He set up his Addis Ababa-based company in 2015 as both a platform and an app to deliver takeout restaurant food, groceries, and beverages, as well as flowers and books. According to How We Made It in Africa, Tsegaye’s reason for creating Deliver Addis was because he didn’t want to learn how to cook, but the mission grew to be much greater than that. For Tsegaye, launching this new venture was not only a way to generate new jobs in his home country, but also change the structure of dining culture for Ethiopia as a...
Some Harvard University students will soon be able to attend the institution free of charge, thanks to a new initiative aimed at making education “affordable to more students than ever,” particularly for those from middle-class families. On Monday, March 17, 2025, the Boston, MA-based Ivy League institution announced that starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, students from families with annual incomes of $100,000 or less will receive free tuition, food, housing, health insurance, and travel costs. They will also get a $2,000 start-up grant in their first year and a $2,000 launch grant during their junior year to “help support their transition beyond Harvard .” Additionally, Harvard will be tuition-free for students from families with annual incomes up to $200,000. “Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals widens the array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that all of our students encounter, fostering their intellectual and personal growth,” said...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The meaning of words changes over time and often shifts based on who is using them and why. One example that comes to mind is the word “Woke.” In the context of social justice, “woke” was used as early as the 1920s by Marcus Garvey in his article “Wake Up Ethiopia! Wake Up Africa!” where he urged Black people to become more politically and socially aware. The phrase “Stay Woke,” which we are more familiar with, became widely known during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Originally intended to promote social and political awareness among Black people, the term has since been co-opted by others as a negative label. Today, “woke” is often used in a derogatory way to criticize liberal ideologies or actions. “Woke” isn’t the only term that has undergone a shift in meaning. The phrase Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), which traces its origins back to affirmative action , has also evolved. When...
A new Detroit, MI, coffee shop has opened its doors. Crain’s Detroit Business reports Charity Dean, president and CEO of the Michigan Black Business Alliance, has launched Rosa Cafe + Market at 222 Third Ave. This isn’t Dean’s first venture either — she previously opened a Rosa Cafe, named after her great-grandmother, in 2022. “We just wanted to make sure we were open for the people,” Dean explained to the outlet. “There’s been a lot of excitement about the new cafe, so we wanted to get it open.” The new 800-square-foot storefront, which is currently being stewarded by five employees, is in a luxury residential property close to the Detroit River. The Cafe will be able to seat nearly a dozen customers at once inside while more can gather in its outdoor patio. Customers can expect to sip on various coffee items including an Ethiopian house roast coffee made by Faust Haus Roasting Co. Additionally, there will also be snacks and food options available for purchase. Dean is looking...
If you’re tuned in to the world of early 2000s hip hop , or the world of modern Belizean politics, you may already be familiar with the name Shyne Barrow. The former rapper and current Opposition Party leader in Belize’s House of Representatives has one of the most fascinating backstories in all of pop culture and politics. Though he may not be as well known as his contemporaries like Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z, Shyne’s story is finally being told with the recent release of the Hulu original “The Honorable Shyne,” which dropped on the streamer earlier this month. In the documentary, Shyne outlines the untold truth about his time laboring under Bad Boy Records , his lengthy incarceration and his pivot into politics within his home country. Given that the 46-year-old politician has led such a storied life, fans are justifiably wondering about other personal details, including his net worth, investment portfolio and various streams of income. Luckily, we’ve got you covered, with a quick...
After hosting several pop-ups, Amanda Harth and Felton Kizer now have their own storefront. Block Club Chicago reports the pair are now proud owners of Monday Coffee, located in Chicago, IL’s North Lawndale neighborhood. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Monday Coffee (@drinkmondaycoffee) Prior to opening the storefront, the founders had been making their mark in the area through various pop-ups, including events at Soho House Chicago and the Obama Foundation, since launching the company in October 2020. The pair were creating what they believed to be a “safe space.” “Being able to be in North Lawndale and serve a community, create a safe space through art, and continuing to use coffee as a vehicle is basically the foundation of Monday Coffee,” Harth told the outlet. “It’s important for Black people, Brown people, to have a safe space to exist. With the pandemic, a lot of those spaces disappeared.” For a two-year period starting in 2021, customers could find Monday...
In a world where things move at lightning speed, just coasting on your current skills won’t cut it anymore. Especially for Black professionals—whether you’re a millennial hustling for a promotion or Gen Xer looking to pivot into new industries—upskilling is the key to leveling up. It’s not just about staying in the game; it’s about dominating it. Learning new skills doesn’t just set you up for the next step; it helps you rise, thrive and own your space—especially in fields where we’re still pushing for more representation. Whether you want to transition into leadership , explore new industries or simply sharpen your expertise, upskilling gives you the power to reshape your career path. And for Black professionals, this journey isn’t just about stacking up certificates—it’s about busting down doors where diversity still lags. Why UC Berkeley Extension is the Move for Your Next Chapter When it comes to upskilling, UC Berkeley Extension offers certificates that will help you thrive in...
As a Black woman tech executive at Amazon, Mamar Gelaye is on a mission to diversify the industry. Gelaye, an Ethiopia native, has a decades-long career spanning more than 20 years that dates back to her time as a management consultant at Accenture. Her interest in technology was evident while attending the University of Tennessee, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. She even worked on a hybrid electric vehicle project during this time. Belief In Technology Her faith in the advancements of technology remained strong, and following her time at Accenture, she pursued roles that reflected this. “I just really understood that technology was going to transform a great deal. I just understood that software was gonna control the machine,” she explained. “So when I left management consulting, I went into large industrial companies that were kind of big manufacturing, but manufacturing through automation, through kind of transformational engineering.” In...
Bright mind Heman Bekele has been named TIME’s 2024 Kid of the Year. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Bekele, who was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, developed the idea to create a Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS), which resulted in a “compound based bar of soap charged with different types of cancer-fighting chemicals.” According to TIME, the soap incorporates imiquimod, which is a drug used in treating one form of skin cancer as well as other skin-related issues. “It’s supposed to help heal the skin internally, which will then show results externally because the skin cancer will slowly start to fade away,” Bekele explained in 2023. This led to him being recognized that year as “America’s Top Young Scientist” in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier middle school science competition created by 3M and Discovery Education. Bekele became the first Black scientist to receive the honor at 14 years old. “It’s incredible, and it’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime type of...
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University graduate Marcia Cox is paying it forward to another college campus. Cox, 23, is the co-founder of Kaldi’s Coffee House and Roastery, a Charlotte, NC, business that opened in January 2024, as reported by WTVD-11. Before going out on her own, Cox had worked as a Starbucks barista while in high school and college and excelled at her job duties while fostering customer relationships, an Instagram post mentions. She runs Kaldi’s with her father, Marcus, who has an extensive background spanning over 25 years in sectors such as banking, pet retail, and coffee. He has also served as a Starbucks regional operations coach for the Midwest region, based on the Instagram post. Kaldi’s Coffee House and Roastery sells apparel, tea, baked goods such as cookies, and specialty-roasted coffee with Cox sourcing the coffee beans from Ethiopia and handling the roasting process herself, per WTVD-11. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kaldi’s...
The legacy of the late Bob Marley remains prevalent. Bob’s musical influence extends globally, with Rolling Stone recognizing “Exodus,” his ninth studio album with the Wailers, as No. 48 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” in December 2023. What’s more, his story is currently being told in a biopic across movie theaters. “Bob Marley: One Love” has earned $71.1 million domestically and $120.5 globally, according to Entertainment Weekly and Comscore (at the time of this writing). Though his life was cut short at 36, following a battle with malignant melanoma, t he Marley family continues to carry the torch of their father while also carving their own paths. At the time of his death, Bob did not have a will, and his inheritance was given to his wife, Rita, and 11 children. As AFROTECH previously told you, with that financial investment in each of his children, many have built on that foundation with net worths now reportedly set in the multi-millions. This includes...