Google for Startups has announced 25 African startups selected for the Black Founders Fund.
Now in its third year, the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund supports black founders by addressing the inequality in VC funding. The fund provides cash awards — without giving up equity in return — and hands-on support to help Black entrepreneurs in Africa build and grow their businesses.
With $4 million in funding, is dedicated to rectifying systemic racial inequality in venture capital (VC) funding by providing equity-free grants and mentoring to early-stage, high-growth Black-led businesses across Europe and Africa.
Each of the chosen startups will receive substantial support, including up to $150,000 in non-dilutive cash awards, up to $200,000 in Google Cloud credits, advertising assistance, one-on-one mentorship from industry experts, and invaluable connections within Google’s extensive network.
“When Black founders thrive, everyone benefits,” Folarin Aiyegbus, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Sub Saharan Africa said.
“The program’s track record speaks volumes: since its inception in 2021, participating founders have seen a 21 per cent rise in employment, with women filling 46 per cent of these positions, and a notable 7 per cent increase in monthly recurring revenue to over $6.1 million.”
Among the 25 African startups selected, Nigeria boasts the highest number of grantees (10), followed by Kenya (5) and South Africa (3). Ghana (2), Uganda (2), Côte d’Ivoire (1), Rwanda (1), and Senegal (1) complete the list.
List of Chosen Startups
- Akoma Health (Nigeria): A tech platform for accessible, culturally conscious mental health services in Africa.
- BezoMoney (Ghana): Digital banking for Africa’s underbanked via mobile/web platforms.
- Chargel (Senegal): A digital trucking platform connecting shippers/carriers in Francophone West Africa.
- Charis UAS (Rwanda): Provides 3D geospatial data via drone technology.
- Evolve Credit (Nigeria): An SaaS for digitising and managing banking services.
- Excel At Uni (South Africa): Supports student funders via digital services.
- EzyAgric (Uganda): An artificial intelligence-powered mobile technology to enhance Africa’s farming sector.
- Fez Delivery (Nigeria): A last-mile logistics platform for various industries.
- Fleetsimplify (Kenya): A monetization platform connecting gig drivers & vehicle owners.
- HealthDart (South Africa): A digital HMO providing end-to-end health services with insurance.
- Herconomy (Nigeria): A female-focused fintech aiming to be Africa’s first women’s bank.
- Jumba (Kenya): Improving Kenya’s construction sector supply chain via B2B platform.
- MDaaS Global (Nigeria): Tech-powered diagnostic centres for affordable healthcare.
- My Pocket Counsel (Nigeria): A legal tech platform for contract generation and management.
- Orda (Nigeria): A Pan-African neobank for restaurants, offering cloud-based software.
- Periculum (Nigeria): A data company aiding in credit assessment, fraud/churn risk.
- Raenest (Nigeria): Fintech offers global financial services to freelancers/startups in Africa.
- Ridelink (Uganda): An E-logistics platform providing shipping and real-time tracking.
- Susu (Côte d’Ivoire): A health platform providing healthcare services/insurance funded by the African diaspora.
- Talamus Health (Ghana): Tech solutions targeting healthcare inefficiencies in Africa.
- TruQ (Nigeria): Streamlining mid-mile logistics across Africa with third-party vehicle connectivity.
- Tushop (Kenya): Tech platform for group buying of daily essentials in Kenya.
- Uzapoint (Kenya): Mobile/web POS for digitising bookkeeping in Africa’s informal sector.
- Zinacare (South Africa): An online platform for accessible, affordable healthcare services.
- Zydii (Kenya): Localised digital training solutions for African SMEs
