15 African Startups Selected For Prestigious Google For Startups Accelerator Programme.
In a significant boost for Africa’s burgeoning tech ecosystem, Google has announced the selection of 15 innovative startups from across the continent for its Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa Class 7 programme. This milestone marks a continued commitment to fostering technological innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa, with the chosen startups poised to tackle pressing challenges in sectors such as healthcare, education, fleet management, logistics automation, and recruitment.
The seventh cohort, revealed on 14 March 2022, includes startups from seven African nations, with Côte d’Ivoire making its debut in the programme. Selected from thousands of applications, these 15 ventures were chosen based on their product stage, alignment with the programme’s objectives, and market fit. The rigorous selection process underscores the high calibre of innovation emerging from the continent.
Over the next three months, these startups will participate in a virtual bootcamp, engaging in seminars, one-on-one coaching sessions, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. They will work closely with Google mentors and facilitators, gaining insights into critical areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, organisational culture, and growth strategies. The programme is designed to equip these businesses with the tools and expertise needed to scale their operations and amplify their impact.
Among the selected startups is Clafiya from Nigeria, a platform connecting patients with healthcare practitioners to deliver fast and affordable on-demand primary care services. Also from Nigeria, Terawork is a pan-African online freelance marketplace that integrates African talent into the global workforce, while truQ offers a tech-enabled logistics platform to streamline short-haul logistics for retail distribution companies. South Africa’s The Marking App stands out with its data-free application that automates the marking of handwritten school assessments and simplifies school administration. Meanwhile, Kenya’s Fleetsimplify and HydroIQ are innovating in fleet management and water consumption management, respectively, and Nigeria’s iVerify.ng provides a digital identity onboarding platform.
Since its inception in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa programme has supported 82 startups from 17 African countries, collectively raising $112 million and creating 2,800 direct jobs. Google has invested $5 million in equity-free funding and product credits to fuel their growth, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing Africa’s tech ecosystem.
The inclusion of Côte d’Ivoire in this cohort highlights the programme’s expanding reach and its dedication to fostering inclusive innovation across diverse African markets. As these startups embark on their three-month journey, they are set to leverage Google’s expertise and global network to address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.
