Kenya and Nigeria top the list of the 10 startups from the continent that will form part of the eighth cohort of Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program
This year’s cohort featuring ten innovative startups from Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa were selected from nearly 1,000 applications.
Out of the ten ventures, Nigeria produced five while Kenya produced three with Rwanda and South Africa producing one each.
Google Africa’s Head of Startups Programs, Folarin Aiyegbusi, said that despite the current "funding winter" in Sub-Saharan Africa, where investment flows have slowed, the resilience and ingenuity of African entrepreneurs continue to shine.
“These startups represent the future of African innovation, harnessing the power of technology to solve real-world problems and uplift their communities. We are committed to supporting these founders by providing them with the resources and mentorship they need to succeed and scale their solutions,” said Aiyegbusi,
This three-month, equity-free virtual program offers African startups mentorship, technical resources, and access to a global network of experts and investors.
Nakili (Kenya) a local venture that bring salons, barbershops, and spas into the digital age with a mobile-based app for streamlined management and customer experiences will be among the startups from Kenya.
Triply, that builds Africa's travel operating system, connecting travellers with seamless booking experiences and travel businesses with powerful management tools also made it to the shortlist.
While Nobuk Africa a fintech that simplifies financial management for groups and collectives across Africa with a seamless platform for collecting funds, reconciling payments, and generating reports was the third.
Other Startups are CDIAL AI, Earthbond, MyAIFactchecker, NextCounsel and Rana Energy from Nigeria, Fixxr from South Africa and Lifesten Health from Rwanda.
The ten startups will participate in a structured program designed to support their growth.
They will receive direct access to the expertise of Google mentors and seasoned entrepreneurs who have navigated the startup path.
They will engage in technical workshops to refine their products, hone their business strategies, and strengthen their leadership skills. The program will also prepare them to secure follow-on funding from Google's global network of investors.
Since its inception in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program has supported 106 startups from 17 African countries.
These startups have collectively raised over $263 million and created more than 2,800 direct jobs, showcasing the program's substantial impact on the African tech landscape.
This year's cohort places a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, highlighting the growing importance of advanced technologies in addressing Africa's most pressing challenges.