MyFiLi is a new AI-powered edtech platform designed to transform how families, schools, and nonprofits engage with financial literacy.  The Urgent Need for Financial Literacy Currently, consumer credit card debt in the U.S. has hit an all-time high of $1.79 trillion, and savings account balances average just $4,521. MyFiLi.com addresses this gap by providing tools and knowledge that help users navigate the complex nature of financial management.  According to BlackNews, Founder and CEO Joseph Green‘s mission is to empower everyone to develop a healthy relationship with ..read more

Primary Venture Partners has partnered with over 25 leading New York-based venture firms and startups to introduce the Factor Fellowship.  This program will tackle the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) challenges head-on by connecting the city’s VC-backed startups with top talent from underrepresented groups. Addressing Diversity in Venture Capital and Startups The data on diversity within the venture capital and startup landscape shows that only about 13% of venture capital decision-makers are women. Funding for Black founders also declined in 2023, failing to rea ..read more

Campus, an community college platform that connects students with top-tier professors from universities such as UCLA, Princeton, and NYU, has raised a $23 million Series A extension round. The community college startup In American higher education, community colleges serve as gateways for students aiming to transfer to four-year universities.  However, only 16% of these students achieve a bachelor’s degree within six years.  Campus operates on a model that rethinks the approach to college education. It is reportedly the first fully accredited, nationally focused community c ..read more

Robert F. Smith’s Vista Equity Partners has raised over $20 billion for its latest fund, making it the largest in its history.  This new fund, known as the eighth flagship fund, passes the previous record of $17 billion raised in 2019.  Embracing AI for Strategic Growth Vista Equity Partners, known for its investments in technology companies, is focusing on AI with its new fund.  “You will also hear more about how we have adopted generative artificial intelligence not just as a tool but as a pivotal component of our value creation and underwriting processes,” Smith sai ..read more

Parham Aarabi, a University of Toronto researcher, has developed an AI tool, named PRE, that could change how e-commerce sites cater to users with color vision deficiencies. AI-Powered Solutions for Improved Web Navigation “Around 8% to 10% of the population has a type of color-blindness,” said Aarabi according to Texh Xplore. “I wanted to see how this might impact web navigation.” Aarabi’s AI model simulates the browsing behaviors of virtual users, tracking interactions like page pauses, cart additions, and responses to discounts.  T ..read more

In the US, African American women face higher mortality rates from major diseases like heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes compared to other demographics.  These disparities are often due to systemic biases in healthcare, which can diminish or underestimate the pain and symptoms experienced by these women. The Promise of Predictive Healthcare in Personalized Medicine Predictive healthcare, however, marks an evolution in medical treatment, moving away from a generalized approach to a more individualized strategy.  This approach uses advanced predictive analytics, whi ..read more

Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Sheetz is under scrutiny following a federal lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).  The suit accuses Sheetz of employing racially discriminatory hiring practices through its criminal background screening process, affecting Black, American Indian and multiracial job candidates since at least 2015. Disproportionate Impact on Minority Applicants According to the lawsuit, Sheetz’s hiring practices have disproportionately screened out minority applicants.  Statistics reveal that wh ..read more

TLcom Capital, the venture capital firm that partners with African entrepreneurs, has successfully closed its second fund, TIDE Africa Fund II, reaching $154 million. TLcom Capital From fintech to healthcare, TLcom has remained focused on seed to Series A investments, supporting transformative businesses like Andela and FairMoney through multiple funding rounds. With a majority-female leadership team, the firm not only champions gender balance but also backs initiatives like FirstCheck Africa to support women-led startups. TLcom’s approach involves partnering with entrepren ..read more

Diagon, a new startup founded by former Tesla supply chain expert Will Drewery, aims to revolutionize equipment procurement for small businesses using technology and industry insights. Drewery learned a lot about buying high-tech equipment while working for Tesla, a company famous for its innovative electric cars. After years of handling big purchases for Tesla factories, Drewery decided to use his skills to help smaller companies through his new venture, Diagon.  Co-founded with Shri Muthu, a former engineering VP at Snackpass, Diagon aims to share Drewery’s insider knowledge to help bus ..read more

Women Who Code (WWC), a charity supporting women in the tech industry founded by Reshma Saujani,  has announced its closure due to financial difficulties. Founded in 2011 in San Francisco by engineers seeking community and support, WWC had grown into a global force with 360,000 members across 145 countries.  The organization, known for hosting over 20,000 events and distributing $3.5 million in scholarships, has long been a beacon for women navigating the male-dominated tech landscape. WWC Closes The unexpected shutdown of WWC has sent shockwaves through the tech community.  “It ..read more