Venture capital has a diversity problem . BLCK VC , a new organization founded by Storm Ventures associate Frederik Groce and NEA associate Sydney Sykes to connect, engage and advance black venture capitalists, is ready for a new era in the industry. Their mission: Turn 200 black investors into 400 black investors by 2024. “We think of ourselves as an organization formed by black VCs for blacks VCs to increase the representation of black investors,” Sykes told TechCrunch. “You can look around and say well ‘I know five black VCs,’ but you can also say this firm does not have a single black VC, they may not even have a single underrepresented minority … We want to make firms reckon with the fact that there is a racial diversity problem; there is a lack of black VCs and every firm should really care about it.” BLCK VC has been at work since the beginning of 2018, building and expanding a network of black investors in the San Francisco area, Los Angeles and New York. They seek to provide a...
Alexa’s path to AI global domination continues apace with the addition of Mexico to its growing list of markets. Amazon today opened up pre-orders for the Echo, Dot, Plus, Spot and Smart Plug. The devices are set to start shipping next week. Of course, bringing such devices to new markets is more complicated than just supply chain issues. Every new location means new accents and cultural nuances. Amazon brought the Alexa to Spain earlier this year, but the distinction between that brand of Spanish and the one spoken in Mexico is broad enough to require some massive changes, not to mention a spate of different local customs that need to be adhered to with the building of Skills. The smart assistant is currently available in around 40 countries, including the addition of Italy and Spain late last month. Google’s Assistant, meanwhile, launched in Mexico over the summer via the arrival of Home and Home Mini.