Applications are still open until December 31, 2020, for North Africa’s first startup accelerator by Google. The American giant Google had, earlier in December, announced the expansion of its startup accelerator program to include technology startups from countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Coming to the rescue of the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), “Google will select 10 to 15 startups from the region to offer them three months of virtual training and mentoring, starting from January 2021”. The startups will also have access to the American tech giant’s acceleration programs.
“This is for startups from under-represented groups such as startups founded by women or blacks, as well as for geographic regions around the world. The final deadline for receiving applications from startups is December 31, 2020,” says Google.
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Google North Africa
Here Is What You Need To Know
- The initiative is a three-month digital business acceleration programme aimed at the MENA region that targets technology startups in the initial financing (Seed) and Initial Investment (Series A) stages.
- The programme is scheduled to start in January 2021 on a virtual platform, and will include 10 to 15 startups from the MENA region.
- As part of the programme, founders of the selected startups will be asked to identify the most important challenges facing them, and then coordinate with relevant experts from Google to solve these challenges.
- The programme will also include providing support and training services to startup founders on various technical and professional challenges. It will also provide them with the opportunity to participate in workshops on machine learning technologies, product design, user experience design, and leadership skills.
Google Startup North Africa Google Startup North Africa
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What Are The Qualifying Criteria?
- Conditions for applying for the programme include that the startup be headquartered in the MENA region, and be operating in the technology field. It should also have received initial funding.
- Google will also take into account issues the startup is trying to solve and how it works to provide a valuable experience for users, and its contribution to addressing a real challenge at the city, country or regional level.
- The tech company will also consider whether the startup aims to employ machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) technology in its products, services, and operations, to help solve current challenges and grow in the long term.
- Selim Obaid, Regional Official for Developer Relations in the MENA region at Google, said that the application process for the first edition of the Google Accelerator for Startups will close by the end of December, 2020. The names of those startups selected will be announced in January 2021.
Still interested in applying, click here.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer