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Culina Health Founder Vanessa Rissetto is behind a personalized, virtual nutrition-care startup that has raised millions of dollars to provide dietary guidance to patients. Culina Health Established and bootstrapped in 2020 alongside co-founder Tamar Samuels, Culina Health recently secured over $7.9 million in Series A funding, bringing its total funding to more than $20 million, per Essence. The health tech company offers holistic and evidence-based nutrition care from registered dietitians, its website notes . Here’s how the platform works: Within 10 minutes, patients are matched with a registered dietitian to schedule their first 60-minute session. From there, they can discuss their health history, and follow-up 45-minute sessions help patients establish healthier habits and assess their progress. The platform has over 90 registered dietitians and has served over 10,000 patients across all 50 states. Culina Health’s superpower includes its ability to track patient data and...
A UK-based legal tech startup has secured new funding that helps lawyers streamline their workflow with the aid of AI. Definely Co-founded in 2017 by CEO Nnamdi Emelifeonwu and Chief Strategy Officer Feargus MacDaeid, Definely offers AI solutions geared toward lawyers, allowing them to create, draft, and review legal documents. The company was named one of the 50 fastest-growin g tech companies in the UK by Deloitte in 2023. “A Microsoft Word add-in, the Definely suite contains a suite of products that help you through the complete pre-execution stage of contract drafting with AI power. Surface precedent clauses, better understand provisions and automate hundreds of your proofreading checks,” its website describes. In a LinkedIn post, Emelifeonwu revealed the platform has more than 100 customers, including BT, IKEA, JPMorgan, DLA Piper and Shoosmiths. $30M Series B With a $30 million Series B funding round led by Revaia with participation from Alumni Ventures, Beacon VC, Clio,...
Collab Capital, which backs early-stage founders, has closed its second fund. Collab Capital’s Mission The venture capital firm was co-founded in 2019 by Jewel Burks Solomon, the former head of Google for Startups in the U.S., to advance innovation across work, health care, and infrastructure and invest in financial, human, and network capital, its LinkedIn mentions. The firm had previously raised $50 million in its first fund, which has enabled investments in 38 early-stage startups, including Goodr, a food waste startup that is launching a “first-of-its-kind” community space in Atlanta, GA. The new Goodr Community Market at Edgewood will allow 200 families to shop for free and will give $5 deli meals to kids that visit the space with books, the company noted on LinkedIn. Everything in the market is also SNAP-eligible. $75M Raise Collab Capital wants to further its investments in founders addressing “big, systemic problems,” according to TechCrunch. It has now closed its second...
Jamaica’s largest fast-food chain, Juici Patties, is planning a U.S. expansion, with 57 franchise agreements signed and locations set to open by 2027, Black Enterprise reports. Founded in 1980 by Jukie Chin in May Pen, Clarendon, Jamaica, according to its website, Juici Patties began with one standout product: the Jamaican beef patty, a flaky pastry filled with spiced beef. What started as a teenage side hustle in his mother’s kitchen has become a household name with more than 60 locations across the island today and exports throughout the Caribbean. The chain had already begun branching out into the U.S. market, launching locations in South Florida in 2024 and more recently in Brooklyn and the Bronx, according to Eater. The strong response to these locations shows that the appeal of Jamaican cuisine reaches far beyond diaspora communities. “This is more than just a business. This is an opportunity for a Jamaican company and brand to expand on the global stage and show the world...
NFL player Jaylon Smith admits that he didn’t have any idea how to manage his earnings once he entered the league, but as his career has continued to grow, he is ready to conquer the business world. Smith has been playing football since he was 7 years old. His talent on the field led to the Dallas Cowboys drafting him at 20 years old in 2016, ESPN reported . He signed a four-year contract valued at $6.5 million, according to Spotrac. However, managing those earnings came with its challenges. “Now I acquire some money at 20 years old with zero knowledge on how to manage, grow and preserve it. I didn’t grow [up] in my household with a budget. So that’s another layer of dynamic that we have to think about as well on why my peers are going broke,” Smith explained on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast, hosted by AFROTECH™ Brand Manager Will Lucas. Smith has come a long way from draft day. The Las Vegas Raiders linebacker, who played college football at Notre Dame, is a serial investor...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. For many founders in the beauty and lifestyle space, the measure of success isn’t just in sales but also in the value of an exit. Recently, Hailey Bieber’s beauty brand, Rhode, was acquired by e.l.f . for $1 billion. Founded in 2022, the beauty brand has reached its valuation quickly thanks to Bieber’s name recognition and viral social media campaigns. But while Bieber has been praised for selling her company, the majority of Black founders are accused of being sellouts by Black customers when they do. Over the past several years, Black-owned brands like The Honey Pot Company, Mielle Organics , and Briogeo Hair Care have been acquired by large conglomerates. For every acquisition, a large portion of their Black customers have complained or claimed that they would no longer buy from the brand because they view the acquisition as a form of selling out. Black founders are held to a different standard...
Byron Allen is selling local television stations owned by his Allen Media Group (AMG), with investment bank Moelis & Co. handling the deal. The portfolio consists of 28 stations affiliated with ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, operating in 21 U.S. markets, including Tupelo, MS ; Honolulu, HI; Flint, MI; and Tucson, AZ, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Allen said AMG began investing over $1 billion six years ago to build a portfolio of “big four” network-affiliated television stations. “We have received numerous inquiries and written offers for most of our television stations and now is the time to explore getting a return on this phenomenal investment,” Allen said, per THR. “We are going to use this opportunity to take a serious look at the offers, and the sale proceeds will be used to significantly reduce our debt.” As the media landscape continues to evolve, AMG has been navigating industry challenges and, over the past year, has implemented a series of measures to streamline...
Award-winning cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson is inspiring the next generation. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Robinson is making an imprint within his industry through his career trajectory, which includes contributions to skin care at Rhode, a lifestyle beauty brand founded by Hailey Bieber that was recently acquired by e.l.f. Beauty for $1 billion. “Proud day for science. Hailey, Michael @ratty Lauren @laurenratner and the entire @rhode team – Thank you for bringing us on as partners from the very beginning,” he expressed on Instagram. “While some may have experts just for marketing, you truly leaned into the science and allowed us to be part of the team. Because of you, brands have taken notice and now value the need for science-led formulations. This has been the journey of a lifetime and we are proud to be a part of it.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ron Robinson (@ronrobinsoncosmeticchemist) Partnership With Girls In STEM Beyond his work at Rhode, Robinson is...
Founder Melissa Butler says The Lip Bar was impacted by the Target boycott. How Target’s DEI Stance Impacted Its Q1 Earnings As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Target made the decision to scale back its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, which included dismantling a program that worked to feature Black-owned businesses in its stores. The company also stopped sending reports to an external diversity-focused organization. This prompted a 40-day consumer boycott led by Rev. Jamal Bryant, which attracted participation from nearly 200,000 consumers, per Atlanta News First. Target experienced a decline in foot traffic for 11 consecutive weeks, and its first-quarter earnings were $23.8 billion, which was 2.8% lower than the same period the previous year, according to a press release. To no surprise, business owners shelved at the store have felt the brunt of the boycott. This includes Butler who shared that sales had plummeted between 30% and 40%. “When people ask me...
Cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson is part of the team at recently acquired beauty brand Rhode. According to Beauty Matter, Robinson has been creating top-selling skincare products for over 30 years, despite not being very familiar with the beauty industry while growing up. Initially, he aspired to become a doctor and studied biology and chemistry at Adelphi University. His plans took a pivot after he completed one year of medical school when he joined Estée Lauder as a product development manager in the Clinique division. He held that role for eight years starting in 1990, his LinkedIn mentions. “My mom was disappointed about me dropping out of med school, but she forgave me because I was a cosmetic chemist gifting her products that I made,” Robinson told Beauty Matter. “The delight and joy that she saw in getting those products and using them has been fuel for me to keep me constantly looking to develop new and exciting products that really delight consumers.” Robinson would go on to...
A new center is set to be the first of its kind for Black-owned businesses and professionals in Charlotte, NC. Innovation Center According to The Charlotte Observer, a project called the Innovation Center is underway, guided by a mission to promote economic growth and combat food disparity. The initiative is led by Cathay Dawkins, an entrepreneur and chairman of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce, along with other members of the organization. “Think of it as a one-stop shop for professionals and small businesses,” Dawkins told the outlet. Why It Was Needed After visiting similar establishments in cities such as Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC; and Durham, NC, Dawkins says he felt it was essential for Charlotte to have a center of its own. Now, the Innovation Center is set to become the city’s first hub specifically geared toward amplifying Black business people. “As things in the community get taken away, like federal funding and grants, we want to be a safe space,”...
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky sought out Barack Obama’s mentorship. During an interview with former First Lady Michelle Obama, Chesky revealed that he sought advice from Barack after the conclusion of his presidency in 2017. He believed that Barack was well-positioned to offer guidance that could inform his leadership at Airbnb, a vacation rental company that now boasts more than 5 million hosts and over 2 billion guest arrivals, its website mentions. “Airbnb is a community. Who’s the most famous community organizer in the world,” Chesky said, alluding to Barack while speaking to Michelle. Chesky’s time learning under Barack Obama as a mentee involved completing various homework assignments that he said changed his life. By 2018, he says his daily routine included attending night school with Barack’s lessons and participating in weekly one-hour phone calls. While practical, he points out one piece of advice that has stood the test of time: to become more intentional. “He literally said,...
Martha’s Vineyard is a place of solitude for Black families during the summer. The island in Dukes County, MA, was recently featured in the popular Netflix series “Forever” directed by the legendary creator of “Girlfriends,” Mara Brock Akil. In the new show, characters Keisha Clark (played by Lovie Simone) and Justin Edwards (played by Michael Cooper Jr.) reconnect in Martha’s Vineyard after a breakup. Edwards’ family resides particularly in Oak Buff each summer. History Of Martha’s Vineyard Explained Furthermore, the location of their reconnection was intentional, per Brock Akil, who lives part-time in Martha’s Vineyard, according to Netflix. The series is adapted from Judy Blume’s 1975 YA novel of the same name, and Episode 5 takes viewers to Martha’s Vineyard, serving as a love letter to the island. “Understanding the essence of the island, even in the way it shaped the story, is important,” Brock Akil told Netflix. “You think you’re just arriving on the island, and you don’t...
Monk Inyang is on a mission to make AI more practical for underserved communities. Within his career trajectory, Inyang has been of service to others. He has worked as an actor, investment salesperson, a researcher on Wall Street, and has also dedicated several years to executive coaching for mid-career Black and Latin professionals, which he shared on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast hosted by AFROTECH™ Brand Manager Will Lucas. This experience has positioned him to be a more effective leader in his current role as CEO and founder of 1st Street Partnerships, an organization dedicated to providing artificial intelligence (AI) education and training to businesses and communities with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and cultural relevance, its LinkedIn mentions. “We help move people from AI anxiety to AI adoption. And that’s through really culturally resonant community-based education,” Inyang explained on the podcast. Partnering With Kevin Hart’s Coramino Fund 1st Street...
Chef Kwame Onwuachi is taking his culinary talents to Las Vegas, NV! As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the James Beard Award-winning chef opened the Afro-Caribbean restaurant Dōgon inside the luxury hotel Salamander in Washington, DC, on Sept. 9, 2024. Two years before, he had opened his flagship Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi in New York City, NY, which earned the top spot as the city’s best restaurant, per The New York Times. Now, Onwuachi is spreading his wings yet again, this time with Maroon, a Caribbean steakhouse that will be opening at the Sahara Las Vegas. “We were intentional in selecting Kwame Onwuachi as our partner for the next chapter of Sahara Las Vegas’ culinary journey,” Sahara owner Alex Meruelo told Travel + Leisure. “His incomparable fusion of storytelling, culture, and outstanding cuisine is uniquely captivating. Maroon will not only advance chef Kwame’s personal vision but also revolutionize the current steakhouse experience on the Strip and beyond.” As for what...