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A Nigerian healthtech startup has secured funding to scale its next-gen proactive health initiative. According to TechPression, Lagos-based Platos Health has announced $1.4 million in pre-seed funding to expand Platos 3.0, an AI-powered metabolic health platform. The funding indicates significant interest in Africa’s emerging digital health sector, with support from Google for Startups, Invest International, and angel investors from Google, Tesla, and Unicredit, according to the outlet. As part of Platos 3.0, the outlet also states that Platos Health has designed Platos Body Monitor, a home medical device intended to address the rising prevalence of lifestyle-related illnesses in Nigeria. The device is sold in more than 300 pharmacies in Nigeria, including Medplus, Justrite, and Alpha Pharmacy, and costs between ₦80,000 and ₦120,000 ($50 and $80). It’s also available online, with two different options to choose from. “We saw a gap. Health isn’t just clinical; it’s personal,” said...
Launching a business is no easy feat. For as much as social media gurus love to talk about how everyone should have a hustle or launch their own business, the reality is often far different. While coming up with an idea can be hard enough, the truth is that most businesses will fail long before they reach the five-year operation milestone. Real barriers like funding a startup business as one tries to shift it from a labor of love to a profitable venture make that grim statistic a reality. In the beginning, most business owners are entirely self-funded. And while this can give one a sense of accomplishment, it also means that there can be lean times. Eventually, startups are going to need a cash infusion which is where the business loans come in. Understanding The Basics Of Startup Business Loans While business loans might seem like mysterious products, they are not much different than any other kind of financial loan offering. Simply put, a financial institution fronts a business...
Despite their many differences and approaches, one perspective many athletes share is that to change the game; you have to be in it. As we’ve seen repeatedly, a positive shift in any game does not always come from one person. It takes a combination of skill and investment to move from just getting by to finding success. And while Google doesn’t navigate on courts or fields, the organization is intentionally positioning itself as a game-changing catalyst for Black entrepreneurs. In 2020, the tech giant made a series of commitments to help ease access to funding for Black founders and funders. The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund has since expanded globally, and AfroTech had the opportunity to have an in-depth conversation with Jewel Burks Solomon, Head of Google for Startups U.S., and Jeremiah Gordon, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for CapitalG, about the future of the Black Founders Fund and its intended impact.
Google Doodle always delivers! In honor of late renowned civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Google has partnered with illustrator Olivia Fields for a Doodle to commemorate this year’s MLK Day. The Doodle reflects an all-inclusive society where everyone can live in peace and harmony much like the dream that Dr. King fought tirelessly for. “Although it is future-focused, I hope people consider the importance of connection, especially in this present moment,” said Fields in an exclusive Q&A shared with AfroTech. “It goes without saying how significant (and essential) support is. Think about how necessary it is to reach out and to take hold as well. This is something I hope the Doodle inspires. ” For Fields, it’s more than just art — the topic at hand resonated with her own personal values. “My life has been shaped by the activism that took place in the past and continues to be formed by the movements that exist today. It cannot be understated how much is owed to...
One mission Google has is to invest in initiatives that aid digital transformation, and their latest funding will go toward the continent of Africa. During its very first “Google for Africa” on Oct. 6, CEO Sundar Pichai announced that the company will invest $1 billion over the next five years in tech-led initiatives in Africa, according to TechCrunch. “We’ve made huge strides together over the past decade — but there’s more work to do to make the internet accessible, affordable and useful for every African,” Pichai said during the virtual event. “Today I’m excited to reaffirm our commitment to the continent through an investment of $1 billion over five years to support Africa’s digital transformation to cover a range of initiatives from improved connectivity to investment in startups.” The $1 billion investment will go toward “landing a subsea cable into the continent to enable faster internet speeds, low-interest loans for small businesses, equity investments into African...
One of the biggest ways to contribute to the success of Black startups in America is to level the playing field. Jewel Burks Solomon and Joey Womack are on a mission to do just that as they work to elevate Black startup founders and eliminate the relationship gap hindering the success of those without direct access to coastal financial centers. While it’s no easy feat, Solomon says that the war wounds and bruises along the way have inspired her to keep going. “The bruises were motivation, I didn’t want other people to have the same knocks that I had in my journey. So, it was pretty clear to me what I needed to do next,” she shared with Black Tech Green Money’s Will Lucas. “I saw that there were big problems, problems that I experienced when I was growing and building my own company that I needed to go and solve. Being the entrepreneur that I am, I needed to go and attack those problems. I saw taking on the role as head of Google for Startups as a great platform and a great way to...
This week, Google announced plans to continue its accelerator program for African startups as well as launch 40,000 new developer scholarships for those spread across mobile and cloud development tracks in the continent. The new slate of scholarships — created in partnership with tech talent companies Pluralsight and Andela — will be granted to both beginner and intermediate developers who reside in Africa. At the end of Google’s training, it will then award 1,000 full scholarships to the top students, certifying them in either Android or Cloud development. According to an announcement from Google, the ongoing accelerator program will be opening up applications in 17 African countries — including Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe — for its sixth class in an effort to both recognize Africa’s exceptional digital talent and provide critical support to startups. “Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first...
Silicon Valley’s tech giants are looking to prioritize diversity in their companies, and so they’re setting their sights on Atlanta’s hub of Black talent populating the industry. In light of last summer’s nationwide Black Lives Matter protests, big-name American corporations scrambled to pledge their support toward more diversity, equity, and inclusion — common-use terms that have become core values more popular than ever before. Among these corporations, the tech world also realized they had a major diversity problem to fix. As a result, companies like Microsoft, Airbnb, Apple and Google all announced expansion plans or major investments in Atlanta, AJC reports. Why some may ask? Simply put, Atlanta has historically been known for being a majority Black city and now it’s emerging as tech’s leading driver of economic growth as Black techies migrate to the city. “People are walking around Silicon Valley and other cities trying to solve diversity, but those aren’t diverse cities to...
Women’s History Month is all about uplifting generations of hard-working women who are becoming pioneers in their own right every single day. This year, AfroTech is amplifying the famous firsts of Black women today who have defied the odds to open doors and break glass ceilings for us all. Here are all the Black women who have and continue to inspire the next generation of young Black women to be the leaders of tomorrow: Kamala Harris Photo Credit: Chris Carlson/ AP Kamala D. Harris made history as the first Black, first Asian-American, and first woman to ever be elected Vice President of the United States of America. She accomplished this historic feat after serving as the District Attorney of San Francisco, California Attorney General, and a U.S. Senator. Stacey Abrams Photo Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images Stacey Abrams — a political strategist and former minority leader of the Georgia state House — is the reason the state of Georgia turned blue for the first time in 30 years to...
Staying true to its mission Collab Capital — an Atlanta-based alternative capital solution — is taking an all hands on deck approach to make sure Black founders don’t fall by the wayside during the COVID-19 outbreak. Led by tech entrepreneur and the first Head of Google for Startups, Jewel Burks Solomon; TechStars Directing Manager, Barry Givens; and successful entrepreneur, Justin Dawkins; Collab is centered around investing in tech startups and providing a pathway for wealth in Black communities. On April 5, Collab will host its Bet it All on Black online panel discussion featuring some of the industry’s top voices including Ryan Wilson of The Gathering Spot, Lecrae, Cortez Bryant, music manager to Lil Wayne, Kim Blackwell, founder of PMM Agency, and more. The online event is free and will focus on how Black businesses can come together in a collaborative effort to make sure all of our businesses not only survive but thrive on the other side of the outbreak. Along with their...
Last week, entrepreneur Jewel Burks Solomon was able to add a new title to her long list of accomplishments. Solomon was named the head of the new Google for Startups . The appointment represents a seminal moment for both Solomon and Google. The African American, Nashville native will be the first person to serve in the newly created leadership position at Google. The Atlanta-based appointment represents a return to Google for the highly accomplished tech entrepreneur and advocate for increased representation in the industry. Solomon previously managed Google events, before serving as an entrepreneur in residence for diversity markets at the top tech company, where she matched underrepresented companies with Google tools and resources. Prior to the position, however, Solomon was no stranger to entrepreneurship. In 2013, she received significant seed funding for Partpic , which uses technology to provide imaging of equipment parts to facilitate maintenance and repair. As its...