Google has named the third cohort of startups for its Launchpad accelerator programme. The cohort has 12 from six African countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda. Of these 12 startups, six have female co-founders and nine are either AI-enabled or have AI potential.
The three-month programme connects startups from around the world with Google staff, networks, methodologies and technologies, and has worked with market leaders in over 40 countries.
The selected startups will receive three months of intense mentorship and support from Google, Cloud and Firebase Credits, three weeks all-expenses-paid training at Launchpad Accelerator Africa (Lagos and Nairobi), access to Google engineers, resources and mentors during and after the programme and inclusion in the Launchpad Accelerator Global Community and network of alumni and mentors.
According to Google’s head of Startup Success and Services, Launchpad Africa, Fola Olatunji-David, the companies will join other startups in the Launchpad programme, present and past, that are using technology to create a positive impact on key industries in their region.
“We look forward to supporting and connecting them with startup ecosystems around the world, ” he said.
Kenya is leading the way with the highest representation of four startups, with Nigeria following closely behind with three
