### Vanilla Secures $35 Million in Funding

In a significant development for the estate planning sector, **Vanilla**, a startup focused on streamlining estate planning processes, has successfully raised **$35 million** in its latest funding round. This investment is aimed at enhancing their platform and expanding their reach in the market.

### What Makes Vanilla Stand Out?
Vanilla is revolutionizing the traditional estate planning landscape by offering a user-friendly digital platform that simplifies complex legal processes. Their approach leverages technology to provide **affordable**, **accessible**, and **efficient** solutions for individuals looking to secure their legacies.

### The Future of Estate Planning
With this new influx of capital, Vanilla plans to invest in technology development and customer engagement strategies. The funding will also support their goal of reaching a broader audience, making estate planning a more straightforward process for everyone.

### Industry Impact
The successful funding round not only signifies investor confidence in Vanilla but also highlights the growing recognition of the importance of estate planning in today’s world. As more people seek to manage their affairs digitally, startups like Vanilla are poised to lead the charge in transforming this essential service.

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Vanilla's Bold Move: $35 Million Raised for Innovative Estate Planning Solutions

### The News

LAGOS — Nigeria’s ambition to build a **value-added supply chain** for **critical minerals** including lithium is getting a significant boost from an unlikely source: an **e-marketplace startup**.  

**Sabi**, the Lagos-headquartered business-to-business e-commerce company focused on the informal economy, has been quietly building expertise as a **middleman for miners** seeking to export. Recently, it inked deals with two companies — Italy’s **Snowball Holdings** and **Transition Resources** from the US — that plan to set up lithium processing plants in the country over the coming year.  

Sabi will ensure both companies have regular supply from discrete **small-scale lithium miners** across Nigeria, CEO **Anu Adasolum** told Semafor Africa. It will also manage the companies’ access to services like **quality control** and **logistics** needed to export the refined mineral abroad.  

The expected **daily processing capacity** for each plant will be **500 tons**, scalable up to **1,000 tons per day**. The US will be the primary export destination for now, but Italy and Germany could be accessible in the future, she said.  

Sabi is also exploring avenues to advance mineral processing in **Zambia** for copper and **Tanzania** for nickel, reflecting a broader regional wave to supply in-demand commodities to the world, particularly related to the **energy transition**.

### Step Back

African countries are determined to ensure that the transition to **clean energy** does not leave them at the bottom of the chain as mere raw materials suppliers. This includes critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and copper, all vital for producing rechargeable batteries.  

Lithium’s use in clean tech is expected to see demand rise **13-fold by 2040**, according to the **International Energy Agency**. African governments view moving up the value chain as crucial for expanding their economies and creating jobs. Processing lithium within the country could double the value of exports, experts say.  

Nigeria’s mines chief, **Dele Alake**, stated last year that Nigeria will “do everything possible to discourage the carting away of our solid minerals without value addition.” The country’s lithium sector has achieved several milestones this year, including the opening of two processing plants in northern states, built by different Chinese companies with state government involvement.

### Know More

Sabi’s ability to service the minerals value chain builds on lessons from other sectors. Founded in 2021, it initially matched supply from grocery producers to demand from wholesalers and retailers, later narrowing its focus to minerals, agricultural commodities, and fast-moving consumer goods. It has raised **$66 million** to date and was valued at **$300 million** after a funding round last year.  

African tech features numerous startups with similar business-to-business services. While they typically aim to bring structure to local informal trade, enabling the export of high-grade commodities is increasingly seen as the most lucrative opportunity.  

Some fulfill the intermediary role by owning physical assets, while others rely on software to organize transactions. Sabi operates without trucks or warehouses, using its in-house software called **TRACE** (Technology Rails for African Commodities Exchange) to provide sustainability data to commodity exporters needing to comply with **EU regulations** on ethical sourcing.  

Sabi will generate revenue through a **revenue share on the export value** of processed minerals, and there is also an option for processing plants to purchase inputs directly.

### The View From Namibia

In September, Chile’s **SQM**, a major lithium mining company, signed its first-ever Africa deal with South Africa-based **Andrada Mining** to co-develop the **Lithium Ridge** in Namibia, a mine rich in lithium, tin, and tantalum. This joint venture could see SQM pay Andrada Mining **$40 million** over time, depending on milestones.  


Nigeria’s plans to build a value-added supply chain for critical minerals is getting significant support from an e-marketplace startup.

How a Startup is Fueling Nigeria's Ambitious Lithium Supply Chain

It was a scorching August day in Georgia when **Arian Simone**, CEO of the **Fearless Fund**, discovered her venture capital firm was facing a lawsuit aimed at supporting **Black women entrepreneurs**. 

On **August 2, 2023**, the **American Alliance for Equal Rights**, led by conservative activist **Edward Blum**, alleged that the Fearless Fund's grant program was discriminatory. In a similar vein, **Hello Alice**, a fintech firm co-founded by **Elizabeth Gore**, was sued by **America First Legal**, claiming its **$25,000 grant program** for Black-owned businesses was also discriminatory. These lawsuits sparked a significant affirmative action debate, challenging funding initiatives that aimed to close the capital gap for small entrepreneurs.

The legal turmoil brought Simone and Gore together, forming a unique bond amidst chaos. Speaking at the **Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit**, Gore humorously noted that their friendship was akin to a romantic comedy, albeit a real one. 

During this period, both CEOs faced threats to their safety and that of their families and employees. Hello Alice, which serves over **1.5 million small-business owners**, had to halt its **Series C fundraising** and faced massive layoffs due to the lawsuit. Gore even had a sheriff's vehicle stationed outside her home for security and encountered severe health issues, including heart failure.

For Simone, the initial weeks post-lawsuit were filled with danger, forcing her to leave her home in Georgia for safety. Thankfully, both lawsuits have since been resolved. Simone announced a **new $200 million fund** with a loan program accessible to any business owner meeting specific criteria, regardless of race or gender. The lawsuit against Hello Alice was dismissed.

Now, both leaders are refocusing on providing essential funding to small businesses, a task that was already challenging prior to the lawsuits. Simone highlighted the ongoing struggle, stating that **women of color receive only 0.39%** of venture capital funds, indicating that opposition existed long before these legal issues arose.

Gore emphasized that such debates about funding should occur among lawmakers rather than in the private sector, urging policymakers to engage in negotiations to prevent economic disruption caused by lawsuits.  

Together, they are committed to advancing funding initiatives for small businesses, advocating for a more equitable future.

Conservative activists targeted the Fearless Fund and fintech Hello Alice. The suits are behind them, and the funds are back in action. 

From Legal Battles to Friendship: How Two CEOs are Paving the Way for Small Business Funding

### Clay's Ambitious Growth
Clay, the **AI-powered sales startup**, is set to achieve a **$1.3 billion valuation** in its new funding round, as reported by Business Insider. This follows its previous funding of **$46 million** at a **$500 million valuation** in June, led by **Meritech Capital**.

### How Clay Works
Founded in **2017**, Clay supports **revenue operations** and helps sales teams **automate outreach** to potential customers. The platform builds a **sales lead list** using customer data from over **75 data providers**. This allows teams to tailor their outreach with detailed information on potential customers, including **company headcount** and **fundraising history**. 

### AI Features
Clay's AI agent, known as **Claygent**, assists in researching prospects and provides insights about target companies based on their **domain names**. The AI messaging tool then enables sales teams to send **customized outbound messages** to prospective clients.

### Notable Clients
The startup boasts a roster of notable clients including **Anthropic, Notion, Vanta, Ramp**, and **Intercom**. 

### Leadership Background
CEO **Kareem Amin**, formerly of The Wall Street Journal, and co-founder **Varun Anand**, who has experience at startups like Newfront and Candid, lead the company. Amin stated that the details of the latest funding round are still being finalized and could change.

### Competitive Landscape
Clay operates in a competitive landscape with other startups like **Apollo**, which recently raised **$100 million** at a **$1.6 billion valuation**. Other competitors include **Unify** and **Lusha**, which reached a valuation of **$1.5 billion**.

![Clay Startup](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/rebrand/newsletter-bull.png)

Clay helps sales teams by automating outreach to potential customers. The company last raised $46 million at a valuation of $500 million.

Clay's AI Revolution: Aiming for $1.3 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round

### Africa's Crypto Boost 
Africa’s blockchain and crypto space is making headlines with a significant venture boost during challenging times for startups. Amidst some companies retreating or shutting down due to harsh regulations and mismanagement, **Yellow Card**, a U.S.-founded crypto platform launched in Nigeria in 2019, is leading the charge. The company has successfully raised **$33 million in Series C investment**, led by **Blockchain Capital**, bringing its total funding to **at least $88 million**.

### The Shift to B2B 
Initially targeting retail customers, Yellow Card is pivoting towards business clients. Co-founder and CEO **Chris Maurice** explained, "The big shift for us has been our focus on working predominantly with businesses now." This change was driven by the realization that businesses generate higher transaction volumes and can sustain more significant operations compared to individual retail users. The company has raised its minimum transaction amounts to attract businesses managing treasury and accessing stablecoins.

### Serving 30,000 Businesses 
As of today, Yellow Card operates with around **30,000 businesses** across Africa and internationally, assisting them in payments and treasury management primarily through stablecoins. Maurice emphasizes that this approach still aligns with the company's original goal of making crypto accessible to the masses, as many small businesses are owned by individuals.

### Stablecoins: A Key Driver 
The demand for stablecoins, like **USDT** and **USDC**, is soaring in Africa, where local currencies are volatile. These stablecoins allow businesses to hedge against inflation and currency devaluation while facilitating international payments. Yellow Card’s transaction volumes have surged from **$1.7 billion** early last year to over **$3 billion**, with revenue increasing sevenfold since January 2023.

### Innovative Regulation 
Despite global challenges, Maurice believes African regulators have a better understanding of crypto than in other regions. He cites recent licensing guidelines in Nigeria and frameworks in countries like South Africa and Ghana as evidence of a **more crypto-friendly environment**. Yellow Card aims to continue developing its offerings while engaging with regulators to foster a supportive ecosystem.

![Chris Maurice (Yellow Card CEO)](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_8315.jpeg?w=680)  
*Image Credits: Yellow Card*

Africa's blockchain and crypto space is receiving a much-needed venture boost during a tough time for startups, some of which have retreated from specific

Yellow Card Secures $33M to Transform Africa's Crypto Landscape: A Shift from Retail to Business Focus

## Reality Defender's Groundbreaking Solution
Reality Defender is at the forefront of combating **AI-generated video scams**. The company's product manager, **Christopher Ren**, recently demonstrated a new AI detection tool during a video call, where he impersonated **Elon Musk** using a deepfake technology. As he conducted the call, the tool actively analyzed the video and alerted viewers that they were likely seeing an **AI-generated deepfake**.

![Deepfake Demonstration](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GettyImages-1167464772-1000x1000.jpg)

The rise of **real-time video deepfakes** poses significant threats to **governments, businesses, and individuals**. High-profile incidents, such as a **US Senate call** with a deepfake of a Ukrainian official and a **multi-million dollar scam** involving an engineering company, highlight the urgency of this issue. **Ben Colman**, CEO of Reality Defender, states, "It's probably only a matter of months before we're going to start seeing an explosion of deepfake video, face-to-face fraud."

## Focus on Business and Government Partnerships
Reality Defender aims to partner with businesses and government entities to mitigate risks associated with deepfakes. The company maintains a positive stance on **AI development**, emphasizing the need for responsible usage. Their upcoming **Zoom plug-in** will predict whether video call participants are real or deepfakes, although it's currently in beta testing for select clients only.

## The Competitive Landscape
This initiative isn't the first of its kind; **Intel** introduced its **FakeCatcher tool** in 2022, which detects deepfakes by analyzing facial blood flow. Meanwhile, academic researchers are exploring innovative methods to combat this threat, including a **challenge-based CAPTCHA** approach for video calls.

## The Future of Video Authentication
As Reality Defender enhances its detection capabilities, Colman acknowledges the challenge of acquiring sufficient data. Partnerships are anticipated to bolster their efforts. **Govind Mittal**, a computer science PhD candidate, warns that deepfakes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it essential for everyday users to remain vigilant.

## Protect Yourself from Scams
Users are advised to stay cautious and not rely solely on their ability to identify deepfakes, as technology evolves rapidly. Colman points out that, just as we don't expect everyone to recognize ransomware, future video authentication may become a standard feature in our daily communications.

*This article originally appeared on [Wired.com](https://www.wired.com).*

Reality Defender says it has a solution for AI-generated video scams.

Revolutionary Startup Unveils Real-Time Deepfake Detection Technology

## The Future of Defense Technology

A cutting-edge **defense startup** is making waves with its development of **AI-powered 'kamikaze drones'** designed specifically for the **U.S. Marines**. These drones, equipped with advanced artificial intelligence, aim to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness in combat situations.

### What Are Kamikaze Drones?

**Kamikaze drones** are unmanned aerial vehicles that can autonomously seek out and engage targets. By leveraging **AI technology**, these drones are designed to make real-time decisions, significantly improving their **strike capabilities** on the battlefield.

### Why AI Matters

The integration of **artificial intelligence** into military technology is a game-changer. These drones can analyze vast amounts of data and adapt to changing environments, ensuring that they can operate effectively even in complex scenarios.

### Impact on Military Operations

The introduction of these **AI-powered drones** is expected to revolutionize how the U.S. Marines conduct operations, providing them with a tactical advantage over adversaries. This innovative technology not only promises enhanced **safety** for personnel but also aims to reduce operational costs in the long run.

### Conclusion

As defense startups continue to innovate, the potential for **AI-driven technologies** in military applications is becoming increasingly evident. The development of these kamikaze drones marks a significant step forward in modern warfare strategies.

Comprehensive up-to-date news coverage, aggregated from sources all over the world by Google News.

Revolutionary AI-Powered 'Kamikaze Drones' Set to Transform U.S. Marine Operations

## Quick Take
In Santa Cruz County business news this week, **Jessica M. Pasko** highlights the legacy of successful food and small businesses developed through the **El Pajaro Community Development Corporation** (CDC) over its 45 years. **Harts Fabric** is relocating to a new Seabright location, while **Terra & Self** is transitioning to an online-only model after closing its Santa Cruz store.

### El Pajaro CDC’s Incubators Drive Entrepreneurship
[The El Pajaro Community Development Corporation](https://elpajarocdc.org/) has launched over **110 small food businesses** in the past 11 years through its kitchen incubator. Notable businesses include the food truck **Scrumptious Fish & Chips**, farmers market vendor **Dos Hermanos Pupuseria**, and catering company **Cuevas Express Foods**. Under the leadership of **Césario Ruiz**, **35 small food businesses** are currently operating from the commercial kitchen in Watsonville, receiving support with permits, food safety certificates, and scalable business plans.

![Cesario Ruiz - El Pajaro CDC](https://i0.wp.com/lookout.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/El-Pajaro-CDC-2.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1)
*Cesario Ruiz shows off the El Pajaro Community Development Corporation’s commercial kitchen space on Riverside Drive in Watsonville. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz*

The kitchen incubator is just one of many programs offered by El Pajaro CDC, which focuses on providing **funding, training, technical support**, and **business counseling** for entrepreneurs. This week, El Pajaro CDC celebrates its milestone with an evening of **tacos and tapas**, featuring dishes from local businesses that started in its incubator.

### Aptos Chamber Announces 2024 Award Recipients
The Aptos Chamber of Commerce has recognized **Zach Friend**, outgoing Santa Cruz County Supervisor, with the **outstanding achievement award**. Other honorees include **K&D Landscaping** as business-of-the-year and **Live Like Coco** as organization of the year.

### Ch-ch-changes: Openings, Closings, and Other Developments
- **New Leaf Community Markets** closed its downtown Santa Cruz store after nearly 20 years, preparing to move to a larger space next year.
- **Terra & Self** will close its brick-and-mortar store on Soquel Avenue on Oct. 29, shifting to online sales.
- **Harts Fabric** is moving to the former **Midtown Surf Shop** location, continuing its legacy since 1969.

### Save the Date
- **Oct. 17**: Women’s Leadership Summit at Mount Hermon Conference Center.
- **Nov. 6**: Santa Cruz Accelerates will host its Demo Day, showcasing startup innovations for potential funding.

### Business News Worth Reading
- [Capitola City Council aims for Capitola Mall redevelopment](https://santacruzlocal.org/2024/10/11/capitola-city-council-aims-for-capitola-mall-redevelopment/)
- [Boeing strike has already cost the company and workers $5 billion](https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/13/business/boeing-strike-one-month-five-billion-dollars/index.html)

In Santa Cruz County business news this week, Jessica M. Pasko reports on the legacy of successful food and other small businesses that have been developed in El Pajaro Community Development Corporation's 45 years. Harts Fabric is moving to a new Seabright __cpLocation, and Terra & Self is closing its Santa Cruz store to go online-only.

Vanilla's Bold Move: $35 Million Raised for Innovative Estate Planning Solutions

Summary:

Vanilla Secures $35 Million in Funding

What Makes Vanilla Stand Out?

The Future of Estate Planning

Industry Impact

Comments

Other Latest News

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Yellow Card Secures $33M to Transform Africa's Crypto Landscape: A Shift from Retail to Business Focus

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Other Latest News

How a Startup is Fueling Nigeria's Ambitious Lithium Supply Chain

From Legal Battles to Friendship: How Two CEOs are Paving the Way for Small Business Funding

Clay's AI Revolution: Aiming for $1.3 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round

Yellow Card Secures $33M to Transform Africa's Crypto Landscape: A Shift from Retail to Business Focus

Revolutionary Startup Unveils Real-Time Deepfake Detection Technology

Revolutionary AI-Powered 'Kamikaze Drones' Set to Transform U.S. Marine Operations

Celebrating 45 Years of El Pajaro CDC: A Catalyst for Local Entrepreneurs and Business Changes in Santa Cruz