Google Opens Applications For Startups Accelerator Africa

Google has opened applications for African startups for its 7th edition Google for Startups Accelerator Africa.  

Seed to Series A technology startups can now apply for the 3-month virtual program which will run from March through May 2022. The deadline for the applications is 14 January 2022.

Startups from Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe are eligible to apply for the program.

According to Google, the accelerator is designed “to bring the best of its programs, products, people and technology to startups that leverage machine learning and AI in their company today or plan to in the future”.

Each accelerator features a cohort of 10-15 top startups. Selected founders outline the top technical challenges for their startup, and are then be paired with relevant experts from both Google and the industry to solve those challenges and grow their business.

The company says, “In addition to mentorship and technical project support, the accelerator also includes deep dives and workshops focused on product design, customer acquisition and leadership development for founders, specialized training, media opportunities and access to Google’s network of engineers and experts.”

The program which was launched in 2017 has seen 82 startups across Africa participate and raise $117 million in funding. 

Apart from the Accelerator, Google also supports African startups through the recently launched Black Founders Fund where it committed $50 million. The Company recently selected 50 start-ups that will receive up to $100,000 in equity-free capital and access to its platforms and programs including Google Cloud and Google ads grants.