Tech Giant Google Introduces 3-Month Hybrid Program for Tech Startups Headed by Black Leaders in South Africa, Providing Equity-Free Assistance and Expert Guidance

Applications are now open for the Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa, a three-month hybrid program designed to support Black-led technology startups in South Africa. The program, running from November 2024 to January 2025, aims to create diverse and inclusive accelerator classes and encourages applications from qualified startups led by founders of all backgrounds.

The program is specifically tailored for startups that are at the Seed to Series A stage, headquartered in South Africa, and leveraging AI to build solutions addressing local challenges with potential scalability across Africa and globally.

Participating startups will benefit from equity-free support, mentoring, training, access to experts, Google product credits, early access to new Google products, strategic support, technical project partnership, and guidance on company and product strategy.

Selected startups will be paired with Google experts to help resolve key technical challenges, and will also be matched with relevant Google and industry experts to help tackle their most significant challenges.

The program offers a unique opportunity for startups to be part of the Google for Startups Accelerator Global Community and its network of alumni. Participants will also receive exclusive invitations to technical bootcamps hosted by Google, where applicable.

Startups up to Series A funding are encouraged to apply. To be eligible, the CTO and/or other key technical roles are required to commit to participating and engaging in all required program sessions. Selected startups will receive access to Google engineers, Google Cloud credits, custom mentorship, and opportunities for marketing spotlights.

The first cohort will consist of 15 Black-led South African startups. Key dates for the program include applications opening on September 27, 2024, closing on October 14, 2024, program kick-off in November 2024, and graduation in January 2025.

The program is a hybrid, spanning three months with digital workshops, mentorship, and in-person bootcamps. It focuses on in-depth mentorship in areas like data and machine learning.

Eligibility for Google product credits can be found on the Google Cloud startup page. For more information and to apply, visit the Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa website.

Google does not take any equity from participating startups, making this an attractive opportunity for startups looking to grow without giving away a significant portion of their company.