Google has announced the opening of applications for the 10th cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, a 12-week programme focused on artificial intelligence–driven innovation across the continent.

In a statement released on Thursday, the company said applications will remain open until March 18, 2026. The accelerator is a hybrid, AI-first programme designed for Series A startups that are either based in Africa or building Africa-focused solutions using artificial intelligence and machine learning.

According to Google, selected startups will gain access to its AI expertise and technical resources, receive mentorship from experienced AI professionals, and benefit from networking opportunities with peers and industry leaders across the global technology ecosystem. The programme aims to help participating startups strengthen their products, scale responsibly, and translate advanced research into real-world solutions.

Speaking on the launch of the new cohort, Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem Africa at Google, said the continent’s technology ecosystem is evolving toward more advanced innovation.

“Africa’s tech landscape is seeing a vibrant shift toward deep tech innovation,” Aiyegbusi said. “For Class 10, we are focusing on the potential of AI to drive health and societal benefits, providing the infrastructure and expertise to turn these startups into the research labs of the continent.”

Since its launch in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has supported more than 180 startups across 17 African countries. Google disclosed that participating startups have collectively raised over $350 million in funding and created more than 3,700 direct jobs, highlighting the programme’s role in strengthening Africa’s startup ecosystem and attracting investor interest.

The company noted that the focus for the 10th cohort reflects growing interest in applying AI to sectors such as healthcare, climate, agriculture, and other areas with broad societal impact.

Last year, six Nigerian startups were selected for cohort 9 of the accelerator. They were part of 15 AI-driven ventures chosen from across Africa. The cohort featured startups from Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa, all leveraging AI to address challenges in sectors including fintech, healthtech, logistics, and agritech.

The Nigerian startups selected were E-doc Online, a compliance and credit intelligence platform using real-time banking data to streamline onboarding and lending; GoNomad, which enables African businesses and freelancers to build global companies and receive international payments; and Midddleman, a sourcing and payments platform that simplifies imports from China for African businesses.

Others include Myltura, a digital health platform using AI to provide remote care, testing access, and integrated health data services; Pastel, which delivers enterprise-grade AI tools for financial institutions such as fraud detection and anti-money laundering solutions; and Scandium, an AI-powered quality assurance platform that helps software teams reduce bugs and speed up delivery.

From simplifying cross-border payments to improving access to healthcare and automating software quality checks, Nigeria’s strong representation in the accelerator reflects the country’s growing influence in Africa’s innovation and technology landscape.

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Google on Thursday opened applications for the 2025 Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Programme, a three-month initiative designed to support early-stage startups using Artificial Intelligence to address Africa’s most pressing challenges.

The Head of Startups Ecosystem, Africa, Google, Mr Folarin Aiyegbusi, said in a statement that across the continent, startups are demonstrating how local innovation could solve deeply-rooted problems.

Aiyegbusi said that AI’s potential to accelerate Africa’s development was real, and Google was investing in ensuring that African startups led that charge.

He said that, according to McKinsey, AI could add $1.3 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, but only if bold innovation was supported at the grassroots.

“Startups are Africa’s problem solvers, with the right resources, they can scale their impact far beyond local communities.

“This programme reflects our belief that AI can be transformative when shaped by those who understand the context deeply,’’ he said.

According to him, in West Africa, Crop2Cash – an agritech platform and alumni of the programme – is using AI to digitally onboard small holder farmers.

He said that Crop2Cash helped small holder farmers build their financial identities and provided them with access to credit, traceable payments, and productivity tools.

Aiyegbusi said that through these efforts, Crop2Cash was improving agricultural outcomes and unlocking economic opportunity for farmers who had long been excluded from formal systems.

He noted that Crop2Cash illustrated the kind of impact that was possible when African startups received the support they need to scale.

According to him, the Accelerator is open to Seed to Series A startups based in Africa that are building AI first solutions.

Aiyegbusi said that Startups must have a live product, at least one founder of African descent, and a clear vision for responsible AI innovation.

He said that selected participants would receive dedicated technical mentorship from Google and industry expert, and up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits.

Other benefits, he said, included access to a global network of investors, partners, and collaborators and workshops focused on technology, product strategy, people leadership, and AI implementation.

According to Aiyegbusi, since 2018, the programme has supported 140 startups from 17 African countries.

Aiyegbusi said that these alumni had raised more than $300 million in funding and created over 3,000 jobs, adding that many are now regional and global leaders in their categories.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that applications for the 2025 cohort are now open for startups interested in participating to apply. (NAN)

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Google on Monday announced the opening of applications for the eighth cohort of its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme.

Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup’s Ecosystem, Africa at Google made this announcement in a statement made available to newsmen.

Aiyegbusi said that since the programme’s inception in 2018, it had supported 106 startups from 17 African countries and had collectively raised over $263 million and created more than 2,800 direct jobs.

“Google for Startups Accelerator Africa is a three-month, equity-free virtual programme that provides African startups with mentorship, technical resources, and access to a global network of experts and investors.

“The class eight programme will run from June to September 2024 and will include equity-free support up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits.

“It will also include mentorship, personalised guidance from Google Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts, seasoned entrepreneurs, and industry leaders,” he said.

Aiyegbusi explained that this cohort would have a strong focus on startups leveraging AI and Machine Learning (ML).

He said that the focus of leveraging AI and ML was to address critical challenges and unlock new opportunities across the continent.

He said there would be technical workshops, in-depth training on AI/ML development, product strategy, and scaling, global network, connections to potential investors, partners and customers.

The head of Startups at Google said that applications would be open from April 29 to May 20 and could be submitted online at g.co/AcceleratorAfrica.

He said that eligible startups must be based in Africa or building Africa-centric solutions and should be utilising AI/ML in a transformative way.

Aiyegbusi added that Google was excited to support the next generation of African AI pioneers through the Google for Startups Accelerator.

“We will be providing startups with the resources and mentorship needed to build successful, impactful businesses.

“Africa’s tech ecosystem is a hotbed of innovation, and AI has the potential to be a transformative force across various sectors.

‘’Startups are the lifeblood of innovation, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and solving some of society’s most pressing challenges.

’In Africa, digital transformation is accelerating rapidly and startups play a vital role in shaping the continent’s future from fintech and agritech to healthcare and education,’’ he said. (NAN)

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TECHDIGEST – Google has introduced the groundbreaking “Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First” initiative, aimed at bolstering African startups utilizing artificial intelligence to tackle local challenges.

This visionary program acknowledges the global impact of AI, revolutionizing industries and reshaping what’s possible, while emphasizing the crucial role African startups play in addressing pressing regional issues through AI solutions.

Dubbed the ‘AI First’ program, it provides dedicated support to startups eager to explore the potential of AI. Drawing insights from successful past endeavors like Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa, the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund, and the Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders, the core objective remains unchanged: to elevate and amplify African-driven solutions.

Applications are now open for the 10-week equity-free accelerator, inviting startups up to the series A stage based in Africa or developing AI and machine learning solutions for Africa-centric challenges.

Participants gain access to Google’s AI expertise, technical resources including up to $350,000 in Google Cloud Credits, mentorship from seasoned AI experts, and invaluable networking opportunities.

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Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa, expressed, “Africa’s tech landscape is vibrant and ever-evolving.

“It’s inspiring to witness African startups not only harness AI to address our distinctive challenges but also set global benchmarks.

“AI First’ signifies more than just a program; it’s a testament to our unwavering belief in these startups’ vision, ensuring they receive the necessary support and guidance to fulfill their potential.

“Since its launch in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa initiative has assisted 106 startups from 17 African nations.Collectively, these startups have secured over $263 million in funding and generated over 2,800 direct job opportunities in the region”.

To participate in the Google AI First Accelerator Program for African Startups, interested parties should apply by September 6, 2023.For comprehensive information and application submission, please visit the portal.

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TECHDIGEST – Google has announced that applications are now open for the inaugural Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders Africa Program. The program aims to empower and support women founders on the continent by providing resources and opportunities for them to scale their startups and address African problems.

Women founders, who are building tech startups in Africa or for Africa can apply through the program website at g.co/acceleratorafrica before the February 20th, 2023 deadline. Eligible applicants must have a working product or service, a viable business model, and a working team. The application process includes a written application and an interview with the program team.

The 12-week program will commence in March 2023 and include one bootcamp per month, held in a hybrid style of online and in-person sessions. Selected participants will receive access to Google’s products, mentoring from industry experts, resources, tools, and technology, as well as networking opportunities and connections with investors to support the growth of their startups.

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Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa at Google. Folarin Aiyegbusi, said: “We are excited about the open call for applications for our three-month accelerator program, specifically tailored to address the unique challenges faced by women founders in Africa. We believe that investing in women founders in Africa is critical for economic empowerment that will enable the creation of jobs for the growing African youth population.”

African female founders face challenges in their entrepreneurial pursuits, including limited access to funding. Despite these challenges, women make up a significant portion of African entrepreneurs, with 58 per cent of businesses in Africa being owned by women.

“Elevating the participation and leadership of women in the entrepreneurship ecosystem is crucial for promoting gender equality and driving economic growth in Africa.

Investing in women-led startups is a key step towards achieving this goal, and Google’s commitment to these goals is reflected in the launch of the Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders Africa Program”, added Aiyegbusi.

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TECHDIGEST – Google is committed to its entrepreneur-focused programmes in Africa, this time with Black-focused initiative designed to help startups – Google for Start-up Black Founders Fund (BFF).

On Tuesday, the web search giant said that 60 eligible Black-founded start-ups would receive a total of $4 million in the second cohort of BFF, NAN reports

Mr Folarin Aiyegbusi, Google’s Head of Start-up Ecosystem, Africa, made this known in a statement announcing opening of applications for Google for Start-up Black Founders Fund for Africa.
He said that it would result in a commitment of four million dollars to 60 eligible Black-founded start-ups across Africa.

According to him, BFF Africa is open to start-ups in Nigeria, Botswana, Cameroun, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

He said that while the 13 countries were the prime focus due to their active tech and start-up ecosystems, strong applications from other African countries would be considered.

‘’The Black Founders Fund Africa demonstrates our commitment to supporting innovations in underserved areas.

‘’Black-led tech start-ups face an unfair venture capital funding environment; that is why we are committed to helping them thrive to be better and ensure the success of communities and economies in our region.

’The fund will provide cash awards and hands-on support to 60 Black-led start-ups in Africa, which we hope will aid in developing affordable solutions to fundamental challenges affecting those at the base of the socio-economic pyramid in Africa.

‘’We are hopeful that the support received by the Black founders will enable them to grow their businesses and, in turn, drive economic growth in Africa as they create solutions and give back to their communities,” he said.

He said selected start-ups will receive between $50,000 and $100,000 non-dilutive cash awards and up to $200,000 per start up in Google Cloud credits.

Aiyegbusi further said that support in the form of training and access to a network of mentors to assist in tackling challenges unique to each start-up, would be provided and that early-stage start-ups with black founders or diverse founding teams were eligible for selection for BFF.

According to him, start-ups which are benefitting Black community and those operating and headquartered in Africa as well as those with diverse founding team, with at least one Black founding member, were also eligible.

He said that those having legal presence on the continent and building technology solutions for Africa and the global market and those with potential to raise more funding and create jobs were equally eligible.

Google for Start-ups Black Founders Fund was launched in the wake of the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement as part of Google’s racial equality commitment.

The initiative is aimed at driving economic opportunities for Black business owners.

Interested applicants can find more information at http://goo.gle/BFFAfrica. Application closes on May 31, while winners will be announced on July 29.

Google had in 2021 doled out $1 billion for multi-faceted investment fund in Africa. Entrepreneurs and startups have begun to benefit from the fund which covers a range of initiatives – from improved connectivity to investments in startups for a period of five years.

SOURCE : Takedia.com

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