Google has selected six African startups for the 2024 cohort of its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa: Black Founders program, a long-standing initiative launched in 2018, offering equity-free funding and mentorship to early-stage, high-growth Black-led businesses across the continent.
Over the years, Google has aided 106 African startups from 17 countries, contributing to a significant $263 million in total funding raised and helping generate over 2,800 jobs across the continent.
This year’s smaller cohort, unveiled at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, reflects the continent’s entrepreneurial diversity, with startups primarily from South Africa.
The selected startups—Aveade, Breaze Delivery, Mapha Logistics, Swagshack, Vuleka, and Wisi-Oi—will each receive up to $55,000 in non-dilutive funding, $200,000 in Google Cloud credits, advertising support, and mentorship from Google’s extensive network.
This backing will help scale operations and expand market reach across diverse sectors, from e-commerce and logistics to fintech and fashion, addressing challenges unique to the African landscape.
Google’s head of Startups Ecosystem for Africa, Folarin Aiyegbusi, emphasised that beyond financial backing, the programme provides tailored mentorship and one-on-one training to address the specific hurdles each startup faces in scaling. Unlike last year’s 25-member cohort, the smaller 6-member group may allow for deeper, personalised mentorship, suggesting that Google hopes to amplify the impact of each startup through concentrated resources and support. This holistic approach enables startups to maximise their impact by fostering innovation and economic growth.
Notably, startups like Vuleka and Wisi-Oi are addressing pressing needs within Africa’s informal economies. Vuleka connects informal township businesses to new customers, enhancing their online and offline presence, while Wisi-Oi fosters sustainable fashion through a resale platform that supports the circular economy.
Through the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, Google reinforces its commitment to leveraging AI and advanced technologies to tackle systemic challenges in financial inclusion, healthcare, and education, helping bridge digital divides and foster socioeconomic resilience across Africa.
