Google for Startups Black Founders Fund for Africa IInd Cohort Google has announced that applications for Africa’s second cohort of Google for Startup Black Founders Fund for Africa have opened.
Google will provide additional funding of $1 million and support for 10 additional founders to this year’s cohort following the success last year. This will allow Google to commit $4 million to 60 black-founded startup companies in Africa. 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. Strong applications from other African countries, however, will be taken into consideration. The fund is open to all startups that meet the criteria, with priority given to Google for Startups Accelerator & Partner program alumni. Who should apply The fund is open to all startups that meet the criteria, with priority given to Google for Startups Accelerator & Partner program alumni . Startups in the early stages with African founders and diverse founding teams. Program Highlights
- Non-dilutive cash awards (equity-free) up to $100,000 per startup
- Google Cloud credits up to $200k
- Access to a network of mentors to help tackle each startup’s unique challenges
- Access to the best of Google — people, products, and best practices
These African businesses are eligible to be selected for the BFF:
- Early-stage startups that have black founders or diverse founding team members
- African startups that are benefiting the black community.
- Startups that have a diverse founding team, at least one member of which is black;
- Those who have a legal presence in Africa and are interested in building technology solutions for Africa.
- Those who are able to grow and increase funding, as well as those who can create jobs.
The Google for Startups Black Founders fund was launched in the wake of the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement as part of Google’s racial equality commitments. The initiative is a promise to increase economic opportunity for Black entrepreneurs. BFF offers equity-free cash assistance to support startups in the region. This helps them pay staff, fund inventory, and maintain software licenses. If you are interested in applying for Google for Startups, Black Founders Fund Africa’s Google for Startups program, you can find out more at http://goo.gle/BFFAfrica. The deadline to submit applications is 31 May 2022. The winners will be announced by 29 July 2022. Folarin aiyegbusi Head of Startup Ecosystem, SSA. The Black Founders Fund Africa is a demonstration of our commitment to supporting innovation and in areas that are underserved. Black-led tech startups are often denied access to venture capital funding. This is why we have made it our mission to help them succeed, grow and improve the region’s economies and communities. We hope that the fund will offer cash awards and support to 60 Black-led startup in Africa. It will also help in the development of affordable solutions to the fundamental problems that impact those at the bottom end of the socioeconomic pyramid. We believe that the support given by black founders will allow them to grow their businesses and drive economic growth in Africa.
