Fifteen startups from across the continent have been selected for the inaugural Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders Africa Programme.
An extension of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme established in 2017, the female-focused accelerator aims to empower and support women founders on the continent by providing resources and opportunities for them to scale.
The 12-week programme, which begins this month, includes one bootcamp per month, with selected participants receiving access to Google’s products, mentoring from industry experts, resources, tools, and technology, as well as networking opportunities and connections with investors to support the growth of their startups.
Five of the selected startups are from Kenya – eWaka, Farmer Lifeline, MosMos, Gobeba and Zydii– and another three from Nigeria, namely Alajo App, Maxibuy and Tyms Africa.
Hepta Pay and Smart Ikigega hail from Rwanda, while the cohort is completed by Afriwell Health(Congo), Jem HR (South Africa), Kola Market(Ghana), Mipango (Tanzania) and Suitch(Cameroon).
“We are thrilled to announce the selected startups for the inaugural class of our Google for Startups Accelerator Africa: Women Founders Cohort. These women are tackling some of Africa’s most pressing challenges, and we’re excited to support them as they build the future,” said Folarin Aiayegbusi, head of startup ecosystem for Africa at Google.
At the same time, Google has announced Hustle Academy, a bootcamp-style training programme designed to help entrepreneurs increase revenue, position themselves for investment, and build sustainable businesses for the future. As part of its International Women’s Day celebrations, Google plans to host six women-focused cohorts of the Hustle Academy programme in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa throughout the month of March. Women entrepreneurs in these countries are invited to apply to join these cohorts here.
