Entrepreneurs in Africa now have the opportunity to apply for the Google Startup Accelerator Program
Entrepreneurs in Africa now have the opportunity to apply for the Google Startup Accelerator Program
Google has announced that applications from African startups for its upcoming three-month virtual accelerator program are now being accepted.
The technology company announced on Wednesday that startups from 17 African countries can now apply to participate in Google's virtual accelerator program's African edition, which will launch in 2022. The program is currently accepting applications.
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 these accelerator programs.
According to the company, the virtual accelerator program will run for three months, from March to May 2022. It will be comprised of a one-week virtual bootcamp held once a month.
Google has a long history of assisting startups in Africa, and this three-month virtual accelerator program will provide selected startups with intensive virtual training bootcamps, mentorship, and Google product support during their time in the program.
The advantages of using a startup program
Early-growth stage startups will benefit from Google's equity-free support, which will include access to the best of the company's networks, innovative technology, experts, and mentors, among other things.
It was only a few months ago that Google announced a $6 million grant and support commitment to the Black Founders Fund (BFF) Africa program and the Tony Elumelu Foundation in order to aid the growth of Africa's startup ecosystem.
Applications for the 7th edition of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Program are now being accepted, and will remain open until January 14, 2022, for startups that meet the program's requirements.
Prior Accelerator Programs Have Achieved Success
Founded in 2017, the Google for Business Accelerator Africa program is dedicated to assisting startups in scaling their solutions across Africa.
So far, 82 companies from 17 different African countries have taken part in the program's various activities. Each of these companies has raised more than US$117 million in capital and employs over 2,800 people across the continent.
67 startups from 17 African countries have graduated from the Google for Africa accelerator program since its successful launch in 2018. These startups include OMG digital in Ghana, Flexpay in Kenya, and Piggyvest in Nigeria, to name a few.
