Tech Updates

How CircleFunds is Digitizing Nigeria’s Thrift Savings Model Through a Digital Platform In an encouraging move for financial inclusion in Nigeria’s informal economy, fintech firm CircleFunds is embracing tradition while pushing innovation by bringing the age-old savings system known as “ajo” into the digital era. Based in Lagos, CircleFunds is reviving and modernizing the collective thrift practice of ajo, enabling …

San Francisco-based communications startup OpenPhone has officially rebranded as Quo after securing a massive $105 million in growth financing, marking a bold new chapter in its mission to help businesses “never lose a customer again.” The fresh round was led by General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund, with participation from Craft Ventures, Slow Ventures, Garage Capital, and Y Combinator. With this …