📱USSD Fees May Soon Come from Airtime, Not Bank Accounts

Today’s Menu ☕️

📱Banks, Telcos consider USSD Fees to Be Taken from Airtime Instead of Bank Accounts
📺 MultiChoice Uganda Introduces Weekly DStv and GOtv Subscriptions with ‘Ka Weekie’ Campaign
💰Techstars Now Offers $220K to Startups — Bringing Its Deal Closer to YC
🤖 China pits humanoid robots against humans in half-marathon

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📱 TELECOMS

Banks, Telcos consider USSD Fees to Be Taken from Airtime Instead of Bank Accounts

Telecommunications subscribers in Nigeria may soon notice a change in how they’re charged for using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD). Rather than being billed by banks, customers will begin to see direct deductions from their airtime balance when they use USSD services for mobile banking and other transactions.

This follows advanced discussions between mobile network operators (MNOs) and deposit money banks (DMBs) to transition to an end-user billing model. This model means that the cost of USSD sessions will be deducted straight from the user’s mobile credit, rather than being covered by the banks or passed on through account charges.......…continue reading

📺 ENTERTAINMENT

MultiChoice Uganda Introduces Weekly DStv and GOtv Subscriptions with ‘Ka Weekie’ Campaign

In a bid to make pay-TV more flexible and accessible, MultiChoice Uganda has unveiled new weekly subscription plans under a campaign dubbed ‘Ka Weekie.’ The initiative is aimed at giving customers more affordable and short-term viewing options, especially for those who may not be able to commit to full monthly payments.

With the introduction of ‘Ka Weekie,’ subscribers can now choose from a range of weekly packages across both DStv and GOtv platforms, tailored to meet various budgets and viewing preferences.

Will this happen in Nigeria soon?.....…continue reading

💰 STARTUPS

Techstars Now Offers $220K to Startups — Bringing Its Deal Closer to YC

After nearly two decades of backing early-stage founders, Techstars is updating its standard deal — and it’s a big one. Beginning with its Fall 2025 cohort, the accelerator will offer startups $220,000 in funding, a notable increase from the previous $120,000.

Here’s how the new deal works:

• $20,000 for 5% equity, which remains consistent with Techstars’ legacy model.

• $200,000 via an uncapped SAFE note with a “most favored nation” (MFN) clause. This means Techstars will convert its investment based on the best terms offered to future investors.

For example, if a startup later raises funds at a $10 million valuation, Techstars’ SAFE converts into 2% equity, making its total stake 7%.

According to Techstars Founder and CEO David Cohen in an investment update, the new offer “gives founders more capital, better alignment, and a simpler and more easily comparable structure, enabling them to arrive at their next funding round with greater momentum.”..........…continue reading

🤖 ROBOTICS

China pits humanoid robots against humans in half-marathon

Twenty-one humanoid robots joined thousands of runners at the Yizhuang half-marathon in Beijing on Saturday, the first time these machines have raced alongside humans over a 21-km (13-mile) course.

The robots from Chinese manufacturers such as DroidUP and Noetix Robotics came in all shapes and sizes, some shorter than 120 cm (3.9 ft), others as tall as 1.8 m (5.9 ft). One company boasted that its robot looked almost human, with feminine features and the ability to wink and smile.

The winning robot was Tiangong Ultra, from the Beijing Innovation Center of Human Robotics, with a time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. The men's winner of the race had a time of 1 hour and 2 minutes..........…continue reading

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