Google for Startups has announced that it has opened applications for the second cohort of the Black Founders Fund for Africa. Google has increased its commitment to qualified businesses by providing an additional $1 million in investment.
Google for Startups is committing $4 million to 60 eligible black-founded startups in Africa for this cohort.
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.
While these thirteen countries are the prime focus due to their active tech and startup ecosystems, strong applications from other African countries will also be considered.
Selected startups will receive between $50,000 and $100,000 non-dilutive cash awards and up to $200,000 per startup in Google Cloud credits, support in the form of training, and access to a network of mentors to assist in tackling the challenges unique to each startup. Applications will close on 31 May 2022 and the winners will be announced on 29 July 2022.
“The Black Founders Fund Africa demonstrates our commitment to supporting innovation in underserved areas. Black-led tech startups face an unfair venture capital funding environment and that is why we are committed to helping them thrive, grow to be better and ensure the success of communities and economies in our region. The fund will provide cash awards and hands-on support to 60 Black-led startups in Africa, which we hope will aid in developing affordable solutions to fundamental challenges affecting those at the base of the socioeconomic pyramid in Africa,” said Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem, SSA.
The Black Founders Fund for Africa will aim to provide support to startups in the region in the form of equity-free cash assistance that helps them take care of immediate needs such as paying staff, funding inventory, and maintaining software licenses.
The following African businesses are eligible for selection for the BFF:
- early-stage startups with black founders or diverse founding teams,
- startups that are benefiting the black community,
- operating and headquartered in Africa,
- startups with a diverse founding team with at least one black founding member;
- those having a legal presence on the continent and building technology solutions for Africa and the global market;
- those who have the growth potential to raise more funding and create jobs.
