The AFROTECH ™ community continues to push the mission and discussion of inclusivity in the tech space. As we gear up for AFROTECH™ Conference 2024, let’s dive into a session of the past.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by AFROTECH™ Conference (@afrotech.conference) On the Executive Stage at the 2023 AFROTECH ™ Conference, Kapor Capital’s founding partners Freada Kapor Klein and Mitch Kapor were part of the panel “Closing The Equity Gap: C reating Wealth and Fostering Justice in Startup Investing” — titled after their book, released in March 2023. Alphonzo Terrell, co-founder and CEO of social media platform Spill, moderated the panel, addressing equity gaps in the startup landscape and how to build a more inclusive future. Klein and Kapor shared that the company has invested more than $106 million into over 170 companies, 62% of which are women-led or underrepresented founders , according to their website . In addition, Kapor Capital has achieved an internal rate of...

Surviving in the startup world means having a unique and original idea that is well-executed with the help of all available resources. This is not an easy feat. That being said, new technology like ChatGPT is making the planning and ideation stage of creating a startup a bit easier. ChatGPT is an AI chatbot with vast knowledge that can aid in developing startup ideas. However, it works best when provided with a specific prompt relevant to your goals. Before diving into detailed prompts, having a general idea of the technology space or problem you want to tackle is ideal. If you are still exploring potential tech startup concepts in general, you can begin by having ChatGPT generate a list of 10 varied technology startup ideas (or any number you specify). This gives you a starting point to choose a direction to refine further using more targeted prompts. Read on for examples of prompts you can enter into chat gpt to help generate your next tech startup idea. Problem-Solving ChatGPT...

Karat — a global world leader in technical interviewing — has just launched a brand-new dedicated program called “Brilliant Black Minds” — an initiative aimed at improving access, fairness, and inclusion across the tech industry. According to a press release, the program — which emphasizes Karat’s commitment to providing Black software engineers with $1 million worth of practice interviews — initially kicked off last year. Since then, it has continued to grow and help support more computer science students and professional engineers in 2021. “Brilliant Black Minds aims to eliminate barriers for software engineers,” Jeffrey Spector, Karat President and co-founder, shared in a statement. “Our goal is to support Black software engineers through the technical interview process so they can advance their careers and achieve their purpose in the world of tech. Tech companies shape the ways we all live, and they need the brilliance and unique perspectives of Black engineers.” It is today’s...

The consumer electronics market is known to be a competitive space, especially for minorities looking to break into the industry. Now Black tech entrepreneurs are taking matters into their own hands to make room for more diversity. According to Black Business, Chaymeriyia Moncrief — founder of consumer electronics startup NSPRE™ — took advantage of the void in the tech market early last year when she launched her Montgomery, AL-based company. Amid the pandemic, her tech startup launched with an aim to give consumers a variety of options for electronic selections. To support the brand’s mission, Moncrief was able to raise $1.05 million from private and angel investors, as well as funding from her previous investors in her first startup — Tesix Wireless. “The focus with our funding is Talent and Retail acquisitions, R&D, and Product Design,” Moncrief shared with Black Business. “We have also moved forward with the opening of our headquarters and in this transition, we need to begin...

Far too often do we hear stories of artists and creators having restricted access to valuable opportunities in the entertainment industry on account of gatekeepers and being out of touch with playmakers. In an effort to bridge the gaps between entertainment brands and content creators, this New York City-based tech startup has developed a new app to allow users to monetize their careers. Indie — a music discovery and fan engagement app for independent artists, big-name brands, and listeners — is addressing the opportunity gap that exists in the entertainment industry by creating a way for up-and-coming artists to get more exposure for their work. https://www.instagram.com/p/CC9g90gHUmc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Indie works to create a user-friendly multidirectional marketplace that adopts the use of content submissions, audience feedback, and brand engagement to cultivate an outlet built specifically to create more opportunities for those who may be overlooked. Indie is designed...

Business phenom Magic Johnson is adding more big boss energy to his multi-hyphenate career portfolio. According to CNBC , the former Los Angeles Lakers legend will take a seat on the Board of Directors at Uncharted Power , an award-winning renewable energy tech company founded by Jessica O. Matthews in 2011. In his new role, the CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises will help establish and expand the smart startup’s partnerships and programs in U.S. communities. “Many of America’s urban, multicultural communities are being left behind when it comes to basic human rights such as feeling safe in the community, providing for family, getting an education and, quite literally, keeping the lights on,” Johnson said in a statement. Matthews first discovered her passion for renewable energy after witnessing the issues in Nigeria’s power infrastructure. As a result, Uncharted Power’s aim is to achieve access to cost-effective, clean power networks in underserved areas by creating new energy...