Black is King; Ask Sam; CES goes digital; e-sports league for HBCUs; Vacay begins!
A weekly newsletter for Black and Brown women highlighting entrepreneurship and venture capital in the tech ecosystem.
Hello Sunday, Hello August!
It’s time to take a vacation and step away from the computer for a few weeks. As a resident of France, I will honor the long-standing European tradition of taking the month of August off. I’m flying home to San Francisco this week and will be social distancing with my immediate family. Follow me on Twitter for updates throughout the month or chat with me on Clubhouse.
See you again on August 30!
—
Snap released its first diversity report. Walmart launched its own voice assistant, "Ask Sam." Microsoft puts TikTok purchase on hold after Trump opposed the deal.
USA
The Weeknd is holding an AR concert in TikTok.
Online health startup Ro raised $200 million at a $1.5 billion valuation in a round led by General Catalyst.
Remitly raises $85M at a $1.5B valuation.
Self-driving startup Argo AI hits $7.5 billion valuation.
AI Home fitness startup Tempo raised $60 million this past week at a $250 million valuation.
CES will be a fully digital event for the first time ever in 2021.
EUROPE
Moonbug Entertainment has acquired two of the world's most successful kids programs to become the world's largest digital kids media company. It also raised $120 million in a funding round to support growth and acquisition.
London-based payments company TransferWise is now valued at $5 billion.
Croatia’s Infobip has raised $200 million+ at unicorn valuation in its first round of funding.
AUTO1 Group, a Berlin-based online used car marketplace, raised $303 million in funding via convertible notes.
Ace Aero Partenaires, a new French aviation fund, raised €630 million toward a €1 billion goal, with backing from Tikehau Capital and a series of aerospace companies.
The European Union has imposed its first-ever cyber sanctions against China, Russia, and North Korea for past cyber-attacks carried out against European citizens and businesses.
AFRICA
Nigeria: Dating App Reaches 10,000 Subscribers In 65 African Countries.
Transport app Gozem launches e-commerce delivery options in Togo and Benin.
SweepSouth, a South African early-stage business disruptor company has received an undisclosed amount in a venture capital investment from Futuregrowth.
Cairo-based Drowzy secures six-figure funding from UAE Angel Investor to scale its furniture e-commerce startup.
HerVenture, a Kenyan business development mobile application for female entrepreneurs, has launched.
INSIGHTS
Where Latinx Founders Can Find Funding, Resources, and More.
-Lolita Taub
Micro Angel Investors Are the Future of Startup Funding.
-Dawn Dickson
The future of UK angel investing.
-Pietro Invernizzi / Stride VC
Structural Problems In The European Venture Capital LP Landscape And Why It Matters.
-Ha Duong / Forbes
The Work-From-Home Shift Shocked Companies—Now They’re Learning Its Lessons.
-Christopher Mims / Wall Street Journal
How VCs Work: A Sneak Peak into the MENA VC Ecosystem.
-Tariq Syed / Khalifa Innovation Center
Diversity: The Trillion Dollar Opportunity Hiding In Plain Sight.
-Roman Leal/Leap Partners
116 Organizations Driving Change.
-MacKenzie Scott Bezos
FUNDING & COMPETITIONS
Founder Institute announces the Black American Founder Fellowship. Ongoing applications.
Call for Nominations: Top 50 African Impact Startups 2020.
The 2020 PledgeLA Summer Lab Fund will allocate $5000 grants (equity-free) to startups founded by HBCU students and alumni. Due August 6, 2020.
Susa Ventures-Venture Fellows Program, a six-month training program for aspiring venture investors. Apply by August 18, 2020.
The HBCUvc Fellowship applications are open for Class 4 Fellows. Due August 28, 2020.
The Unusual Founder Workshop Series. Apply by August 30, 2020.
2020 VC4A Venture Showcase – Seed. Africa's Showcase of startups looking to raise a Seed round: $150K-$1M. Deadline September 11, 2020.
UPCOMING (VIRTUAL) EVENTS
All Raise: Recruiting with an Equity Lens, Virtual workshop via ZOOM. August 4, 2020.
Future Startup Now Founders Pitch Event #1 - Health, Education and Social Impact-showcasing the word of diverse creative entrepreneurs aged 18-24. August 6, 2020.
Fundraising Series for Black & LatinX founders: Session 1 - Should you raise venture capital? August 7, 2020.
SoGal Ventures-Build Your Career: Breaking Into Venture Capital [Webinar] - August 8, 2020.
ON OUR RADAR
When Did Recipe Writing Get So...Whitewashed?
Twitch is helping to create an esports league for HBCUs.
Owners warned not to kiss pets after first cat infected with coronavirus in UK.
Universal’s Theatrical Releases Will Quickly Be Available in Homes.
PEOPLE
Mary Winston named to Chipotle Board of Directors.
Lionsgate names former FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn to its Board.
VC icon Alan Patricof and SoulCycle vet Abby Levy launch fund to invest in aging while also seeking out entrepreneurs in their 40s or 50s or older.
Erica Chidi, the founder of LOOM, just raised over $3M for a digital platform for reproductive education.
A heartfelt thank you for reading and see you after my summer vacation on August 30! Follow me on Twitter for updates throughout the month or chat with me in Clubhouse.
If you liked this email, pay it forward. Our list of subscribers continues to grow so please keep the momentum going and share!
Did someone share this with you? Sign up here.
Get in touch if you’d like to share stories, tips, comments, or questions. Feel free to send us articles from investors, founders, influencers, and startups that you think would be helpful to our community of readers. We might be able to include it in next week's newsletter.