Google has called for applications from African startups for a three-month virtual accelerator program. The technology company made announcements on Wednesday, African innovators from 17 African countries can now commence applications to be a part of the 2022 African edition of Google’s virtual accelerator program. The virtual accelerator program is expected to come up in 2022.
Selections would be made from the following African countries: Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Startups that are eligible to join these accelerator programs are expected to be located in these African countries.
According to the technology company, the accelerator program will run intensively for 3 months starting in March 2022 all through to May 2022. A virtual Bootcamp will be held weekly per month. The virtual accelerator program has proven Google to be a supporter of startups in Africa. The three-month program is guaranteed to provide intensive virtual training Bootcamp, mentorship, and various Google product support for the selected startups.
“We are honored to have yet another opportunity to connect with African innovators and empower them through the seventh Class of GFSAA. We know that, as with previous Classes, we are on the cusp of uncovering some outstanding technology-led solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, developed by Africans themselves,” says Andy Volk who leads Google’s developer and startup ecosystem efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition to the finest of Google’s networks selected startups will have access to innovative technology, experts, and mentors, as well as the company’s equity-free support. The call for African startups by Google comes months after the technology company pledged $6 million in grants and support to the Black Founders Fund (BFF) Africa program, as well as the popular Tony Elumelu Foundation in a bid to help grow Africa’s startup ecosystem.
The 7th edition of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Program is now opened, Google calls upon eligible startups to start sending entries between now and the 14th of January 2022. The previous edition of the program that launched in 2017 had the goal of assisting African startups in scaling their solutions across the African continent. So far, 82 companies from 17 different African nations have participated and benefited from this initiative, these companies have gone ahead to raise over US$117 million in capital with a workforce of about 2,800 people on the continent. At its successful launch in the year 2018, the Google for Africa accelerator program empowered about 67 startups across 17 African countries. An example of companies empowered in the scheme includes Ghana’s OMG digital, Kenya’s Flexpay, and Nigeria’s Piggyvest, to mention a few.
According to The Pulse Nigeria, a benefactor from the Google initiative is Ndovu, a Class 6 alumnus dedicated to empowering Africans to develop wealth by promoting financial literacy and providing tools to aid with diversifying financial risks, strengthening security, and increasing financial resilience. Ndovu, which has a 53% female client base, also has a gender-balanced staff comprising 50% female staff complement and 50% female board members.
Are you a startup that’s interested in submitting an entry for the program, click here?
