Google has unveiled the six startups selected for its 2024 Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program. The initiative offers equity-free support, including approximately USD 50,000, mentorship, and access to Google’s extensive resources, such as USD 200,000 in Google Cloud credits, to empower these startups to impact Africa’s digital economy. This year’s cohort includes a digital marketplace connecting buyers and sellers with a focus on accessibility and product diversity, Breaze Delivery which is a real-time delivery platform linking businesses to a network of drivers for efficient logistics, Mapha Logistics providing digital tools for township, peri-urban, and rural merchants to optimize business operations, an online streetwear marketplace connecting emerging fashion brands with customers while streamlining orders and deliveries, an e-commerce and fintech platform bridging informal township businesses with online and offline customers, and Wisi-Oi which is a video-driven fashion resale platform facilitating the buying and selling of pre-owned clothing.
Participants gain access to Google’s extensive network, tools, and industry mentorship, enabling them to scale operations and drive innovation. This announcement follows the success of the Black Founders Fund (BFF) 2023, which provided USD 150,000 in non-dilutive cash funding and USD 200,000 in Google Cloud credits to each of its 25 African startups. The accelerator aims to continue fostering transformative growth in Africa’s tech ecosystem.
The Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program, launched in 2018, has provided significant backing to over 106 startups from 17 African countries, with past participants collectively securing $263 million in funding and generating over 2,800 jobs across the continent. Selected startups gain access to Google’s extensive network, positioning them for industry growth and impact. Notably, the program focuses on startups leveraging artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to address systemic challenges in African markets, such as financial inclusion, healthcare accessibility, and educational reach.
Empowering African tech startups
The startups for 2024 are positioned to make substantial contributions not only to their industries but to the broader economy, contributing to job creation, skill development, and technological advancement. Google’s sustained investment in African startups is both a catalyst for growth and a testament to the continent’s potential to influence the global tech landscape through homegrown innovations.
In an environment where venture funding can be challenging to secure, especially at the early stages, Google’s accelerator program stands out as a critical launchpad. With its unique mix of resources, expertise, and a vast network, the program provides African entrepreneurs with a solid foundation to scale innovative solutions that address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. Six South African tech start-ups are set to receive up to R1 million (over $50,000) each in non-dilutive funding, as well as up to R3.6 million ($200,000) in Google Cloud credits.
Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem for Africa at Google, said the programme is part of Google’s commitment to supporting and enabling the start-up ecosystem within South Africa. “Aside from the funding and credits they will receive, Google will also be providing one-on-one training and networking with mentors to address the unique challenges faced by each business,” said Aiyegbusi. Aiyegbusi highlighted that the start-ups are among a growing number of African businesses actively working to address the socio-economic needs of communities.
“It’s encouraging to see the positive move toward enabling more start-ups within the tech ecosystem, all of which will ultimately foster digital transformation and drive inclusion and accessibility for communities across South Africa and the continent at large,” he added. The new cohort joins previous Accelerator and Google Black Founders Fund start-ups from Africa, Europe, Brazil, and the United States, which have collectively received more than $30 million in funding to develop their businesses.
