Google Reopens $4m Fund for Startups in Africa

Google, Tech giant, has made public the application for 60 eligible start-ups across Africa continent as the second cohort of the program kick off.

The cohort, Google for Startups Black Founders Fund, according to the firm, it is increasing its commitment to $4m in funding and supporting 10 more founders because of the success of its first cohort.

It added that the Black Founders Fund Africa is open to startups that meet the eligibility criteria in Botswana, Cameroun, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and  Zimbabwe.

Aside the above stated thirteen countries, strong applications from other African countries will also be considered.

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The Head of Startup Ecosystem, SSA, Folarin Aiyegbusi, said in a statement, “The Black Founders Fund Africa demonstrates our commitment to supporting innovation in underserved areas.

“Black-led tech startups face an unfair venture capital funding environment and that is why we are committed to helping them thrive, grow to be better and ensure the success of communities and economies in our region.

“The fund will provide cash awards and hands-on support to 60 Black-led startups in Africa, which we hope will aid in developing affordable solutions to fundamental challenges affecting those at the base of the socio-economic pyramid in Africa.”

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Selected startups, according to the firm, will receive between $50,000 and  $100,000 non-dilutive cash awards and up to $200,000 per startup in Google Cloud credits, support in the form of training, and access to a network of mentors to assist in tackling the challenges unique to each startup.

Applications will close on May 31, while winners will be announced on July 29, 2022.