Monday blues got you down? Don't worry, NTBTS is here
And a special Ramadan greeting to all our Muslim brothers and sisters - may your gadgets be reliable companions during this month of reflection and prayer.
ICYMI, catch the previous edition here
1.. First of all….(stuck between following with go down low or introduction) introduction because I’m fasting.
Wema Bank is offering up to 7.5M Naira to fund tech startup ideas in Nigeria. Interested individuals can find more information here, and register with this link before the registration deadline which is March 29th, 2023. In addition to the grant, women-led teams can also win free prizes of ₦3,000,000, ₦2.5M, ₦1.5M & ₦1M for participating.
2.. So after the recent resets Oga Seun of Nairaland collected due to the election advert that was run on Nairaland he decided to apologize. Unrelated but check the ratio though.
Some of the reactions on the tl
Maybe they forgot to add the $ sign
3.. Ehn ehn
4.. interesting, the cooking though…
Reactions
Ohhh
Ehn ehn
5.. Someone said, “If ‘Born Retired’ was a person”
6.. Omo, why you people no dey quick share update
So mandeman has been enjoying these privileges
7.. So you people are earning 1M per month, God when 🥺🥺🥺
8.. Shoutout to all the elder ones out there, una be the real MVP
Context
Sending hugs to all the Bro Justin out there
9.. Wawu
Connecting 2 + 2
10.. This unfair sha
smh
Official News
It has been reported that Nigerian genomic company 54gene has conducted a second round of layoffs, with 10 employees being affected, representing 25% of its workforce. This comes after the company had already streamlined its operations, leaving less than 30 people working across its functions. 54gene has confirmed the layoffs, stating that its new leadership is focused on prioritizing the company's core mission and positioning it for future success, which has resulted in certain roles being redefined or eliminated in recent months.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched a business accelerator for fintech startups in Africa. The program will be hosted by AWS’ Startup Loft Accelerator and will focus on early-stage fintech and fintech-adjacent companies operating in Africa. AWS is inviting African fintech startups to apply for the AWS FinTech Africa Accelerator, which will provide training in strategy, product development, and fundraising. AWS will not take equity in the companies or offer venture debt. The selected startups will also join AWS’ Activate program, which will provide founders with up to $25,000 USD in Activate Credits and other services. The move is part of Amazon’s growing ambitions on the continent to provide digital hardware and software infrastructure through data centers and AWS.
Google has removed hundreds of loan apps from its Play Store in Kenya since the implementation of the Digital Credit Providers (DCP) regulations in January. These regulations require entities that provide digital loans in the country to acquire a license from the Central Bank of Kenya. Only 22 of the 381 applicants had received a license by January, and Google's new policy requires loan apps to provide proof of license to be listed on the Play Store. Loan apps that are awaiting a license can obtain interim approval by submitting a declaration form, which is valid for 45 days. The regulations aim to protect consumers from rogue lenders that charge exorbitant interest rates, use debt-shaming tactics, and share customer data with third parties. The regulations also require loan apps to observe consumer privacy and data protection rights, as well as anti-money laundering laws.
Regenerate response
Rwazi, a market intelligence start-up that provides market insights backed by data collected directly from consumers in emerging markets like Africa, has raised $4m in a seed funding round led by Bonfire Ventures, with participation from Newfund Capital and Alumni Ventures. The company seeks unit-level data such as the products bought, frequency of purchases, and geographic location of the consumers to help brands establish their presence or expand into such markets. Rwazi collects data such as product usage, frequency of consumption, household budgets, and income, and compensates users for their submissions. The funding will be used to scale its business and launch new products, and support different languages to broaden the demographics of the consumers they get data from.
Factor[e] Ventures has launched Delta40, a venture studio focused on African startups in the energy, agriculture, and mobility sectors. Delta40 will provide investments ranging from $100,000 to $600,000, and will also offer product testing, technology brokering, and early-stage commercialization as a co-founder. The venture studio has received early funding and support from various organizations, including the Autodesk Foundation, the IKEA Foundation, and the Bezos Earth Fund, and will be headquartered in Kenya with operations in Nigeria. Venture studios are not as common in Africa as venture capital firms, and Delta40 will take a more hands-on approach, creating companies around ideas and remaining on as part of the board of directors.
Thanks Hacksaltun for these piece, I sincerely appreciate you for that.
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