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Serena Williams is no stranger to the tech world and now it seems she’s focusing on strengthening her relationship with one app in particular. Today, Bumble announced that Williams will join Bumble Fund as an investor. Launched in 2018, Bumble Fund helps women of color and other underrepresented groups who are largely ignored in venture capitalism. Bumble Fund focuses on giving businesses early-stage investments. Although Bumble originally launched as an online-dating app that was unique for only allowing women to send the first message to a match, Bumble Fund is another example of how they’ve branched into other ventures. In a statement about the new partnership, Williams said: “I’ve learned how impactful one woman’s voice can be when given a platform to speak and be heard. I am passionate about building on this progress and opening doors for women of all backgrounds, especially women of color, to share their message and trust in their potential to accomplish great things. By...
Women who are looking for a safe space to network can now do so through Bumble’s “women only” business feature, as reported by Fortune . Bumble has always centered women’s experiences. When it first began as a dating app, Bumble was unique in that only women could begin conversations with their matches. The app also expanded to include Bumble BFF, for developing platonic relationships. So, it’s no surprise that Bumble has now launched its new Women in Bizz feature. “To help women foster the kind of community they report they’re missing at work, we’re introducing Women in Bizz,” Bumble shared in a blog . “Through this new feature, available now in Bumble Bizz, women have the option to limit their professional networking exclusively to other women.” To turn on the feature, users just have to go to the settings menu. There will be a “I want to network with…” option, where users can select “Women Only.” Bumble Bizz originally started in 2017 as a way for professionals to connect, share,...
Serena Williams is about to help coaches truly get their heads in the game! The tennis legend and entrepreneur has partnered with Cloud9 Esports to launch the Training Grounds Champion’s Mindset course for coaches. It is designed to help support the company’s latest partnership with high school after-school Esports programs. Training Grounds was launched with the purpose of nurturing the next generation of players in esports, which is set to grow by $3 billion in 2022, per Goldman Sachs. Specifically designed for both middle and high schools, Training Grounds places an emphasis on the values of teamwork, critical thinking and sportsmanship within the context of competitive gaming. Through the new Training Grounds Champion’s Mindset course, Serena Williams will personally detail the practices and mindset shifts that helped her become one of the greatest athletes of all time. “Hard work, practice, and dedication are so important when you’re working to become the best and make your...
Four-time NBA champion LeBron James is known for having one of the most rigorous workout routines in the league, and at age 36, he shows no signs of slowing down. This is why i t comes as no surprise that the NBA star has partnered with Tonal, “a digitally connected strength machine.” According to Yahoo!Finance, Tonal — considered “Peloton’s main rival” — revealed LeBron James would be its newest investor and brand partner on Wednesday Oct. 13. “To have LeBron James — one of the greatest athletes in the world — invest in Tonal is a pinnacle moment for us,” said Aly Orady, founder and CEO of Tonal. As a father of three, the NBA GOAT aims to maximize his productivity in the gym in addition to several other interests in his decision to partner with Tonal. “Every person striving for greatness must prioritize efficiency. Whether you are an athlete, CEO, artist or anyone who is trying to be great, it’s important to maximize your time and get the most out of every minute. So for me, Tonal...
Rarely do we get a chance to see married couples highlighted for running successful businesses, but husband and wife co-founders Courtney Caldwell and Tye Caldwell are setting a model example for what good business looks like in a solid partnership. The Caldwells, who are 30-year industry veterans and the leaders of mobile marketplace ShearShare , created their business to connect salon and barbershop owners to licensed stylists in order to fill their empty salon space by the day, especially in the midst of COVID-19. “Stylists are re-imagining how, when, and where they work,” CEO and Doctor of Professional Barbering & Cosmetology Tye Caldwell said in a press statement. “As the second largest industry for freelancers turns its attention to a new operating normal, many beauty and barbering professionals are taking time to revisit their priorities, including how to better manage operating costs, maximize revenue per days worked, and access professional workspace on-demand.” ShearShare...
There has been a significant increase in Black women-owned businesses in recent years. According to Fast Company, Black women are starting businesses at a remarkable rate in all industries but remain underfunded. While women sometimes apply for personal or business loans for venture capital, there are a number of grants and contests that will help fund the abundance of entrepreneurial dreams springing forth with less financial requirements and hangups attached. Fund your business ASAP with these five opportunities for free money. Legacy Award Have you considered what your legacy will be? Essence and Pine-Sol have teamed up to offer a Black woman entrepreneur a $100,000 award in order to take her business to the next level. Whether it’s a jewelry design business, a start-up food truck or a newly established record label, to take home this hefty grant, the business must simply be registered. Build your legacy and apply by April 15, 2020. Amber Grant Named in honor of the memory of...
Serena Williams just added another title to her long list of wins. She’s now making history as the first athlete to appear on Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Women List in America. You may have heard about the list before — Kylie Jenner was named on the list last year, causing many to question Forbes’ definition of “self-made.” This year, Williams is on the list after securing multiple partnerships, investing in tech companies, starting her own venture capital firm and joining the board of some growing startup companies. Williams announced her VC firm Serena Ventures in April, quietly funding over 30 companies led by women and underrepresented groups since 2014. The companies range across the beauty, food, and retail industries. “I launched Serena Ventures with the mission of giving opportunities to founders across an array of industries,” Williams said in an Instagram post. “Serena Ventures invests in companies that embrace diverse leadership, individual empowerment, creativity and...
There isn’t much that Serena Williams can’t do. Not only has she been making major moves on the tennis court, but she’s quietly built an impressive tech portfolio. Recently, Williams decided to finally reveal her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures. “I launched Serena Ventures with the mission of giving opportunities to founders across an array of industries,” Williams said in an Instagram post. “Serena Ventures invests in companies that embrace diverse leadership, individual empowerment, creativity and opportunity.” Serena Ventures was originally founded in 2014 and has quietly funded over 30 companies led by women and underrepresented groups. The companies range across the beauty, food and retail industries. Mayvenn Hair , an online hair extension company, and women-focused co-working space, The Wing , are on the list of Serena Ventures-funded companies. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) In December, The Wing closed a $75 million...
Shelly Bell has done it all. She’s been a high school teacher, computer scientist, CEO, and an entrepreneur at the helm of several businesses. In 2016, she launched Black Girl Ventures, an organization that aims to provide access to capital for Black and Brown women entrepreneurs in the business and tech sectors, using support and training as tools to tackle issues of poverty and wealth building. “We operate under the core values to create social capital, financial literacy, and financial capital for black and brown female founders,” said Bell. One of the organization’s main programs is the Black Girl Ventures Pitch Competition, which makes its way across the East Coast each year. The competition works with local community members and different funders and entrepreneurs, charges a small entry fee, then uses that money to start a micro-fund for the winner. Since its inception, the pitch competition has connected 45 percent of its participants to investors, and half have been accepted...
To some, an empty storefront can be an eyesore, but to Kobi Wu, it’s a huge opportunity for companies to advertise. That’s why Wu started VisuWall , a company that turns vacant storefronts into advertising space. Wu spent 18 years in marketing and advertising and has produced content for big-named brands like Nike, Spotify and Google. The company partners with property owners and advertisers to optimize store spaces. VisuWall uses computer vision technology that monitors and tracks traffic passing the storefronts. The company collects data on the number of people who pass by, their genders, approximate ages and sentiment to help advertisers determine their marketing strategies. Wu told Black Enterprise that outdoor ads are usually bought in terms of impressions, but don’t have a way of measuring true engagement. “Brands have to think about the connection they are trying to make with their consumers. Impressions are just the starting point and the real goal is engagement.” Wu said....