Google has announced the six startups selected for the 2024 Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, Black Founders program, following a recent call for applications from black-owned South African startups.
The hybrid accelerator has offered each selected startup up to R1 million in non-dilutive funding and R3.6 million in Google Cloud credits. Also, there is guaranteed personalized training and mentorship to support their growth during the run of this program, set to take place until March 2025.
The cohort was introduced at the Africa Tech Festival by Google’s focus on empowering tech-driven, black-owned businesses that address socio-economic needs across African communities. Folarin Aiyegbusi who is Google’s Head of Startups Ecosystem, Africa, highlighted the role of these startups in enhancing digital transformation as well as fostering its accessibility.
A number of companies selected for this program include; Aveade, which is an accessible online marketplace, Breaze Delivery, an on-demand logistics platform, Mapha Logistics, which provides digital tools for township merchants, Swagshack, an intermediary platform for street fashion, Vuleka, an e-commerce platform for informal businesses and Wisi-Oi, a video-based resale fashion platform.
These startups join previous cohorts from around the world, which have been part of this ongoing exercise.