Welcome to the Metaverse Fashion Show!
In 2020, Nigerian fashionista Alexander ‘Delz’ Erinle started Thrill Digital, a fashion tech startup that seeks to revolutionise fashion in the digital world and with it, Astra - an entire metaverse. While developing its products, Astra is currently in the fundraising stage and looking to work with fashion brands and other digital creators. It has already raised $1 million, which includes a grant of $40,000 from Epic Games and $30,000 in pre-seed funding. Before the end of 2022, the company intends to raise an extra $3 million in US dollars.
“Astra plans to offer 3D assets such as fashion items like bags, clothes, shoes, accessories, and more. These digital items will be acquired digitally with cryptocurrency. Consumers’ avatars can then wear them as often as they like within the Astraverse.”
Erinle is not the only person in the digital fashion industry as we have Balboa Tachie-Menson, the founder of Balm Labs, a digital fashion house, which was also created at the peak of the pandemic. Idiat Shiole, who sees herself as a metaverse tailor, is the brain behind the Hadeeart Atelier, which has collaborated with Dress X and Daz Studio.
Idiat Shiole believes that virtual fashion will solve the problem of fashion waste, which causes environmental problems. According to her,
“I’m creating a sustainable brand with Hadeeart Atelier and The Hacedor. That is why I’m taking my time to source for sustainable materials, fashion pieces that are biodegradable, (and) which customers can recycle when they’re no longer interested in wearing them.”
We don’t know where tech dey carry us dey go but we are excited about the idea of digital fashion houses. Read more about their cool process here.
Rooting for them!!!
Despite the gender gap present in the tech industry, women CEOs in the tech industry are being put through unreasonable standards unlike their male counterparts. These women are criticized for behaviours that men would generally get away with. While more male CEOs in the tech space are being asked to step down for cut-corner work practices and sexual harassment in the workplace, the female CEOs are getting criticized for their communication and leadership styles and “not being feminist enough”.
“With only 8% of CEOs being women, it’s incredibly important to support more women stepping into these leadership positions.”
Read on about the gender disparities in CEO takedowns.
Every year, Ire Aderinokun, a frontend developer and user interface designer, sponsors 10 Nigerian women to complete a Nanodegree course of their choice within 6 months at Udacity. Applications opened yesterday, the 1st of September, 2022, and will close on the 15th of September, 2022.
Some of the requirements necessary to benefit from this scholarship are that you must be a woman currently living in Nigeria and be prepared to dedicate enough time to complete your Nanodegree within the 6-months period. For more information, please check this out. To apply, use this link.
Something cool from history:
This Twitter thread has made a list of some early products from Sony, Nokia, Samsung, and 9 other well-known startups.
Something cool from now:
In case you missed it:
Founder and CEO, Eke Eleanya Urum, has been asked by the investors of Risevest to step down from his role at Risevest, a Nigeria-based stock investment app, due to ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual and non-sexual impropriety. Tony Odiba, the current head of operations, will be acting CEO in the meantime. This is not the first time we will hear about the allegations of sexual misconduct brought against Urum. We look forward to seeing how this unfolds.
Enterscale, a strategic advisor to startups on growth, is looking for early and growth stage companies solving real problems for African audiences. Enterscale is committed to enabling purpose-driven African founders with the best people, methods, and tools. They also help to source funding for growth-stage companies. In partnership with NexRubica Capital, a firm with an extensive investment and funding reach across North America, Europe, and Africa, Enterscale will give companies access to funding, coaching, and hands-on support with its newly launched Technology Investment Program.
Apply here.
Opportunities:
Cova Inc is looking for a female Software Developer skilled in Node JS/TypeScript.
Head of Operations needed at TalentQL.
Backdrop is looking to hire a React Native Developer.
Social Media Associate needed at Piggyvest.
Product Designer needed at Loom.
Beaconstac is hiring for a Senior Product Designer.
Pento is looking for a content lead.
Lead Product Designer at 5Mins.
Web/Interactive Designer needed at Purple Rock Scissors.
Bound is looking for a Senior Product Designer
A Customer Success Lead is needed at Bound. Check out the other roles that are open at Bound.
Samcart is hiring for a couple of roles.
Full Stack Engineer needed at Mono.
Yellow Card is looking for a Product Owner. Apply here.