Google moves to boost innovation, entrepreneurship in Africa

With the new Google for Startups Accelerator, Africa Class, Google has renewed its commitment to grow Africa’s startup ecosystem.

The launch coincides with the opening of applications for a new $3m Black Founders Fund Africa programme, and a Google.org-backed $3m grant to the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Applications for GFSA Africa opened earlier this year, paving the way for 15 startups from across the continent to join the sixth class of the programme that started on June 21. The three-month online programme, which includes virtual training bootcamps, mentorship and Google product support, is designed to support these nascent businesses through their early growth phases.

The Google for Startups BFF Africa is part of Google‘s global commitment to support underserved communities.

Google said the fund, which is part of the company’s racial equity commitments announced in June 2020, would provide cash awards and hands-on support to 50 Black-led startups in Africa. Unlike most startup investments, it does not require founders to give up any equity in exchange for funding, stated the American multinational technology company founded in 1998 by Menlo Park.

The tech giant will be working with the Co-Creation Hub, a Google for Startups partner and leading tech community hub with presence in Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda, to distribute the funding to the selected companies across Africa.

According to the tech firm, applications are open for access to funding, as well as technical and business support, for 50 early-stage startups across the continent in 2021.

BFF Africa, which application closes on July 7, is open to all startups in Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe that meet the eligibility criteria, it added.

The co-founder and CEO at Co-Creation Hub, Bosun Tijani, said, “It is encouraging to see Google’s continued dedication to strengthening and elevating the startup ecosystem in Africa. Google was one of the early believers in tech entrepreneurs on the continent and this support over the last 10 years reflects a thoughtful commitment.

“This programme is extremely timely and will not only empower founders across the continent, but also deepen the pipeline and unlock follow-on funding from local and foreign investors.”

The Managing Director of Google, Sub-Saharan Africa, Nitin Gajria, said Google understands that the growth and success of one player in the startup space lays the path for others.

“This is what drives the commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and startups as well as effectively drives employment and enabling both economic and social development on the continent. We are determined to help black founders grow their businesses, not just through access to capital but also through access to the best of Google’s resources,” he added.

The CEO at TEF, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, added, “As Africa’s leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs, this grant will provide financial and technical support for additional women-owned businesses and marginalised groups in the informal sector through the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. There is no better time to invest in women’s economic participation on the continent than now.”

Ehime Alex
Ehime Alex
Ehime Alex reports the Capital Market, Energy, and ICT. He is a skilled webmaster and digital media enthusiast.

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