UrbanGeekz CEO Discusses AI and Entrepreneurship

UrbanGeekz founder and CEO Kunbi Tinuoye joined Stephanie Humphrey, host of WURD’s Life and Tech with TechLifeSteph, to discuss artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, digital media, and the outlet’s reporting. The conversation covered UrbanGeekz stories on Byron Allen’s proposed BuzzFeed deal, Calendly founder Tope Awotona, and AI-first startups. Founded in 2015, UrbanGeekz is a multicultural digital news platform covering technology, business, science, and entrepreneurship. Its reporting is aimed at readers interested in technology careers, startups, business, and innovation.

A Media Platform With Purpose

UrbanGeekz was launched after Tinuoye identified a lack of coverage for technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation stories centered on Black and Latinx communities. Her journalism experience includes work at the BBC and theGrio, which was part of NBC News at the time.

“While there was strong coverage of entertainment and lifestyle, there was very little focus on the innovators, entrepreneurs, founders, and technology leaders shaping the future,” said Tinuoye during the interview on Life and Tech With TechLifeSteph. “UrbanGeekz was built to inspire through representation,” she added.

Media and AI Strategy

The discussion examined changes in digital publishing, including video-first formats, AI content tools, and new distribution channels. Tinuoye pointed to Byron Allen’s recent acquisition of a majority stake in BuzzFeed as an example of media organizations responding to audience behavior, artificial intelligence, and changing monetization models.

Kunbi Tinuoye, Founder and CEO at UrbanGeekz, stated:

“Media companies must continue innovating if they want to remain relevant,” Tinuoye noted.

Founder Ownership and Growth

The interview also covered Black and Latinx entrepreneurs featured on UrbanGeekz, including Calendly founder Tope Awotona. According to the release, Awotona built a profitable business before raising significant outside investment, allowing him to retain substantial ownership and control.

Kunbi Tinuoye, Founder and CEO at UrbanGeekz, shared:

“Many entrepreneurs are thinking beyond simply becoming the next unicorn,” she explained. They're focused on creating generational wealth, maintaining ownership, and building businesses that can endure for decades.

AI First Startup Models

Tinuoye also discussed a report on Yale students who secured $5.1 million in funding for the AI social networking platform Series. The conversation explored investor interest in startups that integrate artificial intelligence into their core products and operations, as well as the role of transparency, building in public, and community engagement.

“The startup is gaining attention today and building in public,” she said.

UrbanGeekz 50 Plans

UrbanGeekz is preparing its upcoming UrbanGeekz 50, an annual list recognizing multicultural innovators in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and business leadership. The platform is also expanding coverage of Pan-African markets.

The interview concluded with a focus on representation and visibility for young people considering careers in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The segment was facilitated through a partnership with URL Media, a national network of multicultural publishers.