Egyptian startup SplendApp, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that allows users to easily develop iOS and Android mobile applications in only 48 hours, has raised a six-figure US dollar pre-seed funding round to build out its platform and expand internationally.
Pablo Navarro, operating partner, and Alejandro Echavarria, managing partner, co-founded the venture capital Marathon firm in 2020 with Leon Papu to focus on early-stage, business-to-business startups in emerging markets. Their plan is to fund about 20 companies in fintech, SaaS and marketplaces.
Mobility startup Opibus has introduced the first all-electric bus in Kenya, also the first Africa-designed electric bus ever. Founded in 2017, Opibus is the leading provider of electric vehicles designed and manufactured locally. Its vision is to create reliable and cost-effective products designed for the pan-African mass market.
Procrastinators of the world can throw a party whenever they get around to it: Google has once more pushed back complete third-party cookie deprecation. The new target is “early next year.” Reasons for the delay include concerns expressed by U.K. data regulator Information Commissioner’s Office, an ongoing inquiry by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority, and widespread discontent in the advertising ecosystem.