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Venerated entertainment industry magazine Variety has announced its newest partnership with a Black-owned tech company named Yappa. In a press release announcement, it was revealed that Yappa, an audio and visual commenting tool for the web, will be the exclusive new commenting solution for the magazine’s official website. The Yappa commenting widget will live at the bottom of each story throughout Variety’s website, allowing readers to leave audio and/or video comments based on what they just read or interacted with on the page. This partnership, which was made official as of yesterday, comes hot on the heels of Yappa’s most recent valuation of $200 million. They also recently secured more funding to further their technology, expand their team, and roll out new products. Jennifer Dyer, the Webby Award-winning CEO of Yappa, also said that this new infusion of funds will also allow the company to form partnerships with other online brands, including Vox Media, iHeart Radio, The Hill,...
Stories of online harassment have made news headlines for years during the increased age of social media. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, last year it found that 41 percent of U.S. adults have personally experienced some form of online harassment in at least one of six ways. This is why Black-owned tech company, Yappa was formed to intervene and create a more humane way for users to communicate online. Forbes reports that this week, the tech startup has raised a $3.5 million Series A funding round to double down on its exemplary efforts to restore positive virtual interactions online. Funding from the round — which was led by Future Media Limited — will reportedly go toward expanding the company’s existing features and launching new ones to further enhance its capabilities. Yappa — which was founded by Jennifer Dyer and Kiaran Sim back in 2015 — is a development-stage company that offers audio and video commenting services for Internet websites, its...
Imagine a world where your thoughts control your devices. No more typing, swiping or even speaking. Elon Musk ‘s Neuralink, a brain chip implant, promises this mind-blowing leap into the future. By merging human and machine intelligence , Neuralink could transform everything from medicine to communication. The wireless brain chip from entrepreneur Elon Musk’s Neuralink has been implanted in an actual person for the first time in 2024, a year after the test was approved. Musk declared that the patient “is recovering well” after receiving the implant. The technology is intended to be used for multiple purposes, such as facilitating a brain-computer interface and helping people regain their motor function . Musk’s assertions were not independently verified, and Neuralink failed to offer many specifics. Though ethical questions about the device and its testing have been raised, Musk has hailed Neuralink as the technology and medical breakthrough of the future. Here’s what you should...
African mobility is taking on a new meaning thanks to fintech startup Moove and its company mission. Today, the Nigerian tech-based vehicle financing platform — also Uber’s exclusive car financing and vehicle supply partner in sub-Saharan Africa — announced the raise of a $23 million Series A funding round to help empower more African drivers to buy and own their own cars. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Moove (@mooveafrica) According to a press release, the round was led by Speedinvest and Left Lane Capital, with participation from other investors such as DCM, Clocktower Technology Ventures, thelatest.ventures, LocalGlobe, Tekton, FJ Labs, Palm Drive Capital, Roka Works, KAAF Investments, Spartech Ventures, Class 5 Global, and Victoria van Lennep, co-founder of Lendable. Additional investors also include Africa specialist, Verod Kepple Africa Ventures and existing Moove lender Emso Asset Management. For many of its U.S.-based venture capital backers, Moove is their...
The advancement of technology doesn’t necessarily always have to be a bad thing. While many suggest that technology and social media alone have caused us to communicate less effectively, this Black founder says it can also mean the complete opposite. “If the pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that both of those things are kind of true,” said Travis Montaque on the latest episode of Black Tech Green Money (BTGM). “When I think about some of the things that we’ve done at Holler from a research perspective, one of the things we look for is how people are utilizing technology and platforms to connect with each other.” Holler is a messaging technology company that delivers content in messaging environments that includes texts, social media, and payment apps. Montaque shares that during his company’s most recent report, studies found that 42 percent of people message more than they did pre-pandemic. “If you think about the natural behavior that created the demand for messaging platforms...
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder in which there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen through your body. A person inflicted with the disease has red blood cells that are shaped like sickles, instead of the round shape that healthy cells have. Treatment options are different for anyone living with sickle cell, and for many patients, there is no viable cure. African Americans are at a relatively high risk of having the disease, with 1 in 13 babies being born with sickle cell. We sat down with a streamer named Ryan who is using his passion for gaming to help raise money to advocate for people affected by sickle cell conditions! Streamer Beginnings Two Average Gamers: How’d you get into streaming? Ryan: I was introduced to it by a friend. After watching her stream, it looked really cool and she recommended that I try it out. I started out really simple with the Twitch app on my Xbox One and have continued to improve my setup since then. TAG: Why...
Black business owners will soon have the chance to gain expertise and profitable tips from celebrity entrepreneurs who have managed to convert startups into successful enterprises. According to Black Enterprise , “Shark Tank” co-star and investor, Daymond John is partnering with production firm Medium Rare and Chase for Business to provide this opportunity through his Black Entrepreneurs Day initiative. “2020 has been a challenging year for many but has also created tremendous opportunities for people throughout the country to rise up to be heard,” said John, according to Black Enterprise. “I asked myself, ‘How can I make a difference?’ and ‘How can I call upon my network to help make that difference?’” Deemed a primetime special at the intersection of entertainment and business, the stream will include a segment titled Game Changer Conversations. It will feature John speaking one-on-one with cultural icons and Black business leaders to include Gabrielle Union, Shaquille O’Neal,...