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Today, Hulu and Spotify announced an expansion of their partnership, where they’ll be offering bundles at a rate that’s hard to ignore. Now, existing Hulu users can sign up for Spotify Premium and get the service free for 30 days. After the trial period, Spotify Premium subscribers basically get Hulu for free when it’s bundled with the music streaming site’s $9.99 charge. This is not Hulu and Spotify’s first time teaming up. The companies used to offer promotions and discounted prices to students and later expanded the package to include ShowTime streaming. The partnership comes after hints of a brewing rivalry between Netflix and Apple. Later this month, Apple is set to host an undisclosed event. Rumors say the event relates to Apple launching its own streaming service to compete with Netflix. After its release, its also possible that Apple will choose to bundle its video service with Apple Music. Traditional music streaming services now how a target on Netflix’s back. The...
Patreon helps content creators sell monthly content subscriptions to its fans. Currently, 2 million patrons are backing more than 100,000 of their favorite creators on the platform. Kit is a startup that launched with the idea to help people discover products worth getting while influencers are able to share their favorite products and earn revenue from the sales. With Patreon’s recent acquisition of Kit , monthly subscription packages will now be able to offer so much more in the way of merchandise, which will further encourage subscriptions at higher monthly tiers than before. With the acquisition, Kit, which has raised $2.5 million since it was founded, is able to continue its commitment to “connecting creators and fans and followers and to making it easier to reward creativity and expertise.” Patreon, which has a valuation of nearly $450 million, plans to build an open merchandise provider platform. Creators who are already using Kit will not lose their revenue streams during...
Managing your finances effectively is more important than ever, and the right budget app can make all the difference. Whether you’re trying to track your spending, grow your net worth , or make smarter investing decisions, using a well-designed budgeting tool can help you stay on top of your financial goals. With so many options available, we’ve rounded up the best budget apps for 2025 to help you find the one that fits your needs. 1. Monarch Money Rating: 4.9/5 (App Store), 4.8/5 (Google Play) Platforms: iOS, Android, Web Cost: Free trial, then $14.99/month or $99/year Monarch Money is a rising star in the budgeting space, offering powerful financial planning tools for individuals and families. It allows users to track spending, set financial goals, and even monitor investments, making it an excellent choice for those looking to grow their net worth. Unlike many free apps , Monarch provides a premium experience with a clean interface, collaboration features for partners, and...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. “Oligarchy” is the word that has been spread across the internet and used to describe what has been observed during Donald Trump’s inauguration. “Oligarchy” is defined as “a country, institution, or organization led by a small group of people.” Observers saw the leaders of the most powerful tech companies in the world not just in attendance but sitting where friends and family sit. They had better seats than Trump’s cabinet. It’s not uncommon for business leaders to convene in Washington D.C. to usher in the exchange of power, but the previous relationship that Trump had with these tech CEOs, and its change to what is seen now, is something to take note of. Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Meta; Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet; Tim Cook, CEO of Apple; and, of course Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, were all close to the president during his swearing in. Each one of...
Fanbase, founded in 2018 by Isaac Hayes III, is rapidly climbing the charts in the App Store. The Atlanta, GA-based social media company allows users to not only create content but also get paid through various mediums, including video, photos, audio, and stories, its website mentions. Additionally, through subscriptions valued from $2.99 to $99.99, users can further support creators in exchange for exclusive content. “For people who value content and community, Fanbase is a free-to-download, free-to-use, next-generation social network that allows any user to earn money from day one,” the company website reads. Moreover, users not only have a chance to participate in Fanbase but can also opt-in to become an investor. For a minimum amount of $399, users make an investment that will be “speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk , including the possible loss of your entire investment.” “I’m the only Black-founded start-up social media app that’s currently in existence...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Americans aren’t the only ones prepping for another tedious four years under President-elect Donald Trump. Since the results of the 2024 election projected Donald Trump as the winner, tech leaders from companies like Meta, Amazon, OpenAI, and others have shelled out seven-figure investments to Trump’s inaugural fund. According to CBS News, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has donated $1 million and plans to stream the inauguration on Prime. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, will donate $1 million, along with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who delivered an optimistic statement about the President-elect’s election win. “President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead,” Altman said in a statement, per The Associated Press. Elon Musk, CEO of X, Tesla, and SpaceX, and general pop culture menace has been a lurking presence...
A game changer is someone who, through their successful impact, changes the trajectory of an industry. In the world of live streaming, “Kai Cenat” and “game changer” have become synonymous. According to CNBC, the 22-year-old streamer reportedly shattered the boundaries of live streaming with his “Mafiathon 2,” a continuous 30-day broadcast that captivated millions and set a new Twitch subscriber record. “Mafiathon 2” was a subathon — a format where each new subscription extends the stream’s duration — broadcasting 24/7 throughout November 2024. By the conclusion of it, Cenat had 50 million unique viewers and an estimated 727,700 subscribers tuned in. Tech Times reports that this number surpasses the previous record of 326,250 held by virtual streamer Ironmouse. “I love y’all so much,” Cenat said during the concluding moments of the 30-day event, per Tech Times. “Without y’all, I am nothing.” Twitch subscriptions are typically priced at $4.99 per month, offering perks like ad-free...
If you have even a passive interest in sports, professional fighting , or mixed martial arts, you’re undoubtedly aware of the UFC, which shattered records in 2023 as the largest MMA promotion in the world. The entity, whose title is short for Ultimate Fighting Championship, is one of the largest subsidiaries of Endeavor Group Holdings, which owns such massive companies as the Asylum Entertainment Group, TKO Group Holdings, and Professional Bull Riders. As of 2024, the UFC has ballooned its market capital to record highs , and run more than 700 events worldwide. According to BetMGM , the UFC is currently valued at a net worth of over $12 billion, with expectations to continue growing as the years carry on. Given that the outlet is so successful, it only makes sense that we perform a deep dive into the history and financial security of the business. Any entity which balloons from a humble MMA showcase to a multi-billion industry in the span of just 30 years is absolutely worth...
Nadia Rawlinson believes in investing in women’s sports. Rawlinson carries executive experience with tenure at companies that include Live Nation Entertainment, Slack, and American Express. It’s her collective experience that has emboldened her involvement with the WNBA’s Chicago Sky along with her deep appreciation for the city of Chicago, IL. “It’s having a level of understanding of how things can be done in an elite way,” she explained to Market Watch. “You have players, you have 22-year-old rookies who are moving to a new city to have their first job out of college. I care a lot about Chicago. I was here during the Bulls years when Jordan was here, which was epic. How can I recreate that here with the Sky? We are the future of Chicago and Chicago sports.” Rawlinson’s commitment to the team is exhibited in her decision to purchase equity in it. She now serves as co-owner and operating chairman of the Chicago Sky. “I’m also operating chairman, but I lead and manage our board of...
Notable names in sports and music have gathered to make credit building more accessible to the masses. According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, Tinashe, Quavo, Chris Paul, and Marshawn Lynch are among the investors who participated in Altro’s latest strategic funding round totaling $4 million. The round brings the credit-building and financial literacy platform’s total funding to $22 million. Altro, formerly known as Perch, was founded in 2019 by Michael Broughton. It allows users to strengthen their credit scores through “everyday payment and subscriptions” such as Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime, Starz, and more. Additionally, the company offers educational resources even to its baseline free membership model. Resources include Altro’s Convo, consisting of brief audio episodes discussing various cultural and financial subjects, and in-person and virtual networking events and opportunities. Prior, Altro was available in 10 U.S. states. In light of the star-studded round,...
The coveted Netflix sound indicating that a new show is starting could be ringing slightly softer as subscribers leave the platform, which has led Netflix to lay off 150 employees. As of May 17, the streaming platform confirmed with NPR that they were restructuring its labor force after the first significant loss in subscriptions in a decade.
In the words of Jay-Z, “I won’t buy it until I can buy it twice.” The Hip-Hop mastermind turned business mogul has been dropping gems for Black people to get their finances in order for quite some time now. So, it’s only right that he does his part to help the community do so by investing in Altro, a platform that helps build credit and provides education on financial literacy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Altro (@altro_finance) Altro — formerly known as Perch — has just secured the funding needed to further democratize credit building “through recurring payment forms like digital subscriptions” — think Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, and more. With approximately 63 million Americans who are either unbanked or underbanked, Altro is on a mission to use streaming service payments to help people not only build their credit but improve it. According to a press release, the Series A funding round, led by Pendulum, totaled $18 million thanks to other companies like Jay-Z’s Marcy...
Lauren Simmons is the perfect example of a story about turning tragedy into triumph. In an op-ed for CNBC, the history-making Wall Street trader talked about how her journey was full of twists and turns — but it was her humble origins that kept her grounded. “One thing I’ve noticed is that, in general, most people have poor spending habits and struggle to save money. It may sound intense, but I save 85% of my annual income,” she explained. Additionally, Lauren Simmons also went into great detail about the difference between her needs and her wants. She saves money by taking care of her housing expenses upfront, splitting the cost of “treats” (like streaming service subscriptions) with other members of her family, plus ditching gym fees and taking part in free and outdoor activities to take care of her physical fitness. She also explained how she likes to travel — and saves money by traveling during the “off-season” instead of the peak season. Sometimes, she said, she can save up to...
Instagram is creating more ways for creatives to get to the bag! The social media network has announced that it will kick off a test of subscriptions for its U.S. users, per reports from Variety. “This will help creators earn more by offering benefits to their most engaged followers like access to exclusive Lives and Stories,” said Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook and chairman/CEO of its parent company Meta in an official post sharing the news. “I’m excited to keep building tools for creators to make a living doing creative work and to put these tools in more creators’ hands soon.” Only a small portion of those U.S. -based creatives will be able to set a monthly price (at their discretion) and unlock a “subscribe” button via their profile. Creators will have eight different price points to choose from, which range from 99 cents to $99.99 per month. Courtesy of Instagram The new feature, titled Instagram Subscriptions, will also allow creators to manage what content will be...
Metro Africa Xpress Inc. (MAX) plans to improve Africa’s transportation sector after securing $31 million in a Series B funding round. TechCrunch reports, the seed round was co-led by global private equity platform, Lightrock, and international venture capital firm, Global Ventures. Novastar Ventures and Proparco also participated in the round. The mobile tech startup launched in 2015, initially to complete customers’ orders. As the startup developed, it incorporated ride-hail services, vehicle subscriptions, and financing services. Three years after MAX’s inception, vehicle financing became an available service and CFO Guy-Bertrand Njoya revealed the company’s attrition rate is now “close to zero,” the outlet also revealed. “We spent time understanding drivers’ operations and it became apparent to us that most of them don’t own the vehicles they use,” said Njoya, according to TechCrunch. “It became clear that the fundamental issue that drivers face is consistent access to vehicles....