💰YC-backed Rulebase Raises $2.1m

Plus: 📺 MultiChoice Overhauls SA Operations Ahead of Canal+ Deal

Innovation Village
September 17, 2025

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Good morning valued subscribers👋

Welcome to Wednesday, the week’s middle child. Not quite the fresh start of Monday, not yet the freedom of Friday, but the perfect spot to pause, catch your breath, and power through.

We’ve lined up today’s stories to give you that midweek boost: sharp updates, fresh insights, and just enough to keep you ahead of the curve.

Let’s dive in.👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

📺 MultiChoice Overhauls SA Operations Ahead of Canal+ Deal
💵 YC-backed Rulebase Raises $2.1M to Automate Financial Services Back-Office Tasks
📱Deal is done to keep TikTok in the US, says Trump
🤖 OpenAI Will Apply New Restrictions to ChatGPT Users Under 18
🤖 YouTube Announces New Generative AI Tools for Shorts Creators
📲 The Most Expensive TikTok Gifts: Digital Luxury in the Age of Social Media

If you haven't subscribed, join over 7,000 people curious about Innovation, New Products, New Technologies in Africa.

📺 ACQUISITIONS

MultiChoice Overhauls SA Operations Ahead of Canal+ Deal

MultiChoice is overhauling its South African operations ahead of a planned acquisition by French media giant Canal+. The restructuring includes streamlining operations, cutting costs, and enhancing its digital strategy to stay competitive against global streaming rivals.

The move aims to reassure regulators and shareholders as Canal+ finalizes the takeover, which would strengthen its presence in Africa’s media market. For subscribers, the shift could lead to new content partnerships, better digital services, and potential pricing changes, though details will emerge after the deal closes......…continue reading

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💵 FUNDING

YC-backed Rulebase Raises $2.1M to Automate Financial Services Back-Office Tasks

Rulebase, a Nigerian-founded AI startup backed by Y Combinator, has raised $2.1M in pre-seed funding to automate compliance and back-office workflows for financial institutions. Its flagship product, AI Coworker, integrates with tools like Zendesk and Slack to evaluate 100% of customer interactions, cutting costs by up to 70% and reducing escalations.

Founded by Gideon Ebose (ex-Microsoft) and Chidi Williams (ex-Goldman Sachs), the startup is focusing on QA, compliance, and disputes, with plans to expand into fraud investigation and audit prep. Already serving clients across Africa, Europe, and the U.S., Rulebase is betting that the future of AI in finance lies not in flashy chatbots, but in efficient, compliant operations......…continue reading

📱 SOCIAL MEDIA

Deal is done to keep TikTok in the US, says Trump

President Donald Trump announced that a deal has been reached to keep TikTok operational in the United States, shifting part of its U.S. operations under American control. The app, owned by China’s ByteDance, has faced intense scrutiny over national security and data privacy concerns. In April 2025, Trump issued a second 75-day extension, delaying a ban and giving ByteDance more time to finalize a deal.

The new deadline, now December 16, grants another 90 days to transfer TikTok’s U.S. assets to American investors. Oracle chairman Larry Ellison is a key figure due to Oracle’s existing role hosting U.S. data. The agreement emphasizes U.S. ownership, stricter data oversight, and continued algorithm use. While awaiting Trump-Xi talks and regulatory approval, TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users gain relief......…continue reading

🤖ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

OpenAI Will Apply New Restrictions to ChatGPT Users Under 18

OpenAI will soon roll out stricter rules for ChatGPT users under 18, introducing tighter filters, possible feature limits, and in some regions, suspended access. The move is driven by rising global regulatory scrutiny around minors’ data and exposure to AI content.

While the changes aim to improve safety, they also raise questions about access and enforcement, especially in areas where young people rely on ChatGPT as a learning tool.......…continue reading

🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

YouTube Announces New Generative AI Tools for Shorts Creators

YouTube is rolling out new AI-powered tools for Shorts creators, including automated editing, effects generation, and music syncing. The update aims to make content creation faster and more creative while helping YouTube compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels.

With Shorts already hitting 70 billion daily views, the move strengthens YouTube’s bid to retain creators and push the next wave of short-form innovation—though questions about originality and authenticity remain......…continue reading