Google has announced the participants in Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Class 7 — which five of the participants is from Nigeria, three from South Africa, three from Kenya, one from Egypt, one from Ugandan, one from Tanzania, and the last from Ivory Coast — which is the first time to be represented in the accelerator.
The class 7 startups were selected from thousands of applications, with final selection based on product stage, programme alignment, and market fit, and are developing solutions in the industry such as healthcare, education, fleet management, logistics automation, and recruiting.
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For three months, these startups will learn from Google mentors and facilitators the best practices on various topics, including Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Organisational culture, Growth strategies, and more.
About Google for Startups Accelerator Africa
A three-month accelerator program for high potential Seed to Series A tech startups based in Africa.
The accelerator is designed to bring the best of Google’s programs, products, people, and technology to startups that leverage machine learning and AI in their companies today or in the future. In addition to mentorship and technical project support, the accelerator includes deep dives and workshops focused on product design, customer acquisition and leadership development for founders, specialized training, media opportunities, and access to Google’s network of engineers and experts.
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Since its inception, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme has supported 82 startups from 17 African countries. Collectively, the startups have raised $112 million in funding and created 2800 direct jobs.
List of Startups in Class 7
- Clafiya (Nigeria): Clafiya connects patients to health practitioners to provide fast and affordable on-demand primary care services in Africa.
- iVerify.ng (Nigeria): iVerify.ng is a digital identity onboarding platform.
- MDaaS Global (Nigeria): MDaas builds and operates modern, technology-enabled diagnostic services in clinically-underserved communities in Nigeria.
- Terawork (Nigeria): Terawork is a pan-African online freelance marketplace plugging African talent into the global workforce.
- truQ (Nigeria): truQ is a tech-enabled logistics platform automating and optimising short-haul (or intracity) logistics for automated retail distribution companies in Africa.
- Multiplied (South Africa): Multiplied offers data-driven design at scale through infinite personalised.
- Nulitics (South Africa): Nulitics is a specialist Mixed Reality (XR) software development and system integrator focusing on XR wearable technology.
- The Marking App (South Africa): The Marking App provides a data-free application that automatically marks handwritten school assessments while also automating school administration
- Fleetsimplify (Kenya): Fleetsimplify is a fleet management platform for shared mobility.
- HydroIQ (Kenya): HydroIQ is a virtual water network that gives consumers and utilities a single, transparent platform to manage their water consumption and management.
- Sukhiba (Kenya): Sukhiba is a decentralised community-based commerce platform.
- Ridelink (Uganda): Ridelink makes cargo mobility affordable and accessible for small businesses at the tap of a button.
- LyRise (Egypt): LyRise is a platform that provides companies with an easier, faster way to hire and work with vetted AI and data talents from Africa.
- SmartClass (Tanzania): SmartClass is a skill-learning network that enables youth to learn from peers.
- LaRuche Health (Côte d’Ivoire): LaRuche Health offers inclusive apps that simplify care delivery and improve patient access to preventive healthcare services
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For class 7, Google has invested $5 million through equity-free funding and product credits for Google services. The Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme is organized around a virtual Bootcamp concept that includes seminars, one-on-one coaching sessions, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. The Bootcamp kickstarts this March and runs through May.
The Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa, Folarin Aiyegbusi disclosed — “We’re thrilled to be starting off our seventh cohort with such a diverse and inspiring group of companies who are harnessing technology to tackle the problems that many people on the continent face every day. Startups in Africa are solving some of the region’s most pressing issues -from employment to logistics, banking, healthcare, and education. This is a journey that we’re happy to be on.”