Hey Innovator,

What do you know about Nigerians? Yeah, we know you’re thinking of Davido, Burna Boy, and Tiwa Savage. But really, have you ever gotten to know a Nigerian.

Nigerians (home and abroad) are known for their confidence, perseverance, and “can-do” attitude. This drive to succeed is instilled from a young age and translates well into any professional field.

In the U.S., Nigerians are the most highly educated group, with 61 per cent holding at least a bachelor’s degree compared with 31 per cent of the total foreign-born population and 32 per cent of the US-born population, according to 2017 data from the Washington-based Migration Policy Institute.

Surely, there’s something about these people that needs to be studied.

Well, we spotlighted 10 high-flying Nigerian Americans who are soaring high in business and in tech. 

Let’s get into it!

Top Stories 📰

Story 1:  In 2017, UrbanGeekz wrote a viral blog post showcasing 10 Nigerian Americans Making Waves in Tech. In our 2024 iteration, we bring you fresh new talent alongside veteran techies building their brands in America and other innovation hubs across the globe.

Story 2:  Remember Colin Kaepernick? The former American football quarterback kneeled during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality, systemic racism, and social injustice, sparking a national controversy. Well, his media startup, Lumi, has emerged from stealth with $4M funding.

Story 3:: Remote workers! Step forward. We know you need community, a solid internet connection, and a dope co-working space. CoworkingCafe researchers carried out a survey you might find interesting. They analyzed the largest U.S. cities across 15 key metrics to identify the most affordable U.S. cities for remote workers

Hot News 🔥

1. Bloomberg Philanthropies has committed $600 million to bolster the endowments of four historically Black medical schools nationwide. 

2. This Black-owned skincare brand earned $1.1 million after it removed bad actors who were profiting from the company’s name, image, and likeness from Amazon.

3. Have you seen the Supacell series created by British rapper-turned-screenwriter Rapman? Check out our expert movie critic's review.

4. Courtney Brown Warren, former Twitter's global head of brand, has been appointed Kickstarter’s new Chief Marketing Officer.

Opportunities - Accelerators/Funding, Events, and Jobs💼

Accelerators 🚀

The Berlin Innovation Agency (BIA) Accelerator is an 8-month pre-seed program for Berlin-based founders working in climate tech, smart city & urban innovation.

The Boston Creator Incubator is designed to bolster local for-profit businesses. Each selected Boston-based business will receive up to $100,000 in combined grant capital from BXC and the JLH Fund, work and maker spaces from the BXC, and startup legal services.

Retail Brand Accelerator: The Retail Brand Accelerator provides tailored education, mentorship, and resources that  prepare diverse founders to break through and succeed in mass retail.

 Grants💰

1. Up to $10K | Accion Opportunity Fund LegalZoom, the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G-League have joined forces to provide entrepreneurs nationwide with grants and LegalZoom services to support their small businesses. Apply by 9/13

2. $500-$2K | Wish is allocating grants and financial support to Black-owned small businesses to help promote equality and diversity in American business. Apply now:

3. $1K | Edwards & Edwards Management Entrepreneur Grant opportunity for black-owned small businesses in the United States Rolling application:

4. $10K | SoGal Foundation offers grants and tactical help to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs who want to scale their businesses. Rolling application

5. $10K | Accion Opportunity Fund equips US-based entrepreneurs with the tools and resources to start and scale their businesses.Apply by 9/13 

6. $10K | The Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge allows young entrepreneurs and change-makers to compete for multiple grant awards to fund work that improves lives, helps communities, and protects the planet. Apply by 7/31

7. $4.25K | Galaxy Grants is teaming up with Hidden Star to provide small business funding for women and minority entrepreneurs. Apply by 9/30

8. Up to $15K | The Catalyst Fund makes grants between $2.5K - $15K to anyone with an early-stage idea or project that addresses pressing global challenges. Apply on a rolling basis.

Events🎟️

Did y’all get the chance to learn about the brilliant honorees on our inaugural UrbanGeekz 50 List? Well, if you haven't, check out the article here. The must-read listicle showcases trailblazing disruptors making waves in the innovation economy.

Also, keep an eye out for our second annual UrbanGeekz 50 24 list, which will go live later this year. Our team is working tirelessly behind the scenes to put the list together. Stay in the loop.

Join us at BITCON 2024, the premier tech conference of the year. Don't miss out on this opportunity to engage with top industry leaders and explore cutting-edge innovations.

UrbanGeekz newsletter readers can register now with our exclusive Promo Code: BITCON-ATL. Stay tuned - we always have these!

Date: 2-6 September 2024

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

 Don’t forget to tune into the Culture Capital series. The powerful docuseries highlights dynamic leaders sharing stories of success, opportunities, and inevitable challenges.

Thank you for joining us in this edition of Geekz Insider. We hope the stories and opportunities we've shared inspire your entrepreneurial spirit and drive to innovate. From dynamic founders to transformative AI programs and life-changing grants, there's something here for everyone.

Love our newsletter? Share it with your networks so they can sign up here and stay updated on the latest in tech, business, and innovation.

For sponsorship inquiries, contact us at [email protected]. Until next time, keep pushing boundaries and turning your dreams into reality!

The Geekz Insider Team