Ivory Coast, Uganda, Kenya Among African Countries With Startups Selected For Google Accelerator
Google has revealed the class 7 participants in its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program, the firm stated in a statement.
The selected startups are working on solutions in a variety of industries, including healthcare, education, fleet management, logistics automation, and hiring.
This seventh class features 15 technology startups from seven African countries, including the first time that Cote D’Ivoire is represented.
The class was chosen from thousands of submissions, the business stated, with the final decision based on product stage, program alignment, and market fit.
They will work with Google mentors and facilitators over the following three months to study best practices on a variety of areas, including artificial intelligence, big data, organizational culture, and growth strategies.
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The Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programs are structured on a virtual bootcamp model that incorporates seminars, one-on-one coaching sessions, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. March, April, and May will see bootcamps.
According to Folarin Aiyegbusi, Africa’s Head of Start-up Ecosystem: “We’re happy to kick off our seventh cohort with such a diverse and exciting set of businesses that are leveraging technology to solve problems that many people across the continent experience on a daily basis. Africa’s start-ups are addressing the region’s most critical concerns, ranging from jobs to logistics, finance, healthcare, and education. This is a trip that we are delighted to be embarking on.”
Over the last four years, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program has sponsored 82 startups from 17 African nations. They have raised a total of $112 million (R1.68 billion) and directly employed 2800 people. Google has spent $5 million throughout this time period through a combination of equity-free finance and product credits for Google services.
“As a Nigerian-based digital identity onboarding platform, iVerify.ng is overjoyed to have been accepted for Class 7 of Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa, which will enable us to extend our operations across Africa. We’re looking forward to the workshops, mentoring, and incalculable worth that have been mentioned so frequently. We appreciate you confirming our dream!!” Zita Agwunobi, CEO of one of the selected start-ups, iVerify.ng, explains.
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Balqis Chepkwony, CEO of Nairobi-based Fleetsimplify, explains: “Fleetsimplify is ecstatic to have been chosen for the Google for Start-ups Africa Accelerator! We’re excited to collaborate with the Google team to bring sustainable shared transportation to Africa.”
“Google is committed to Africa’s rapidly rising start-up and developer ecosystem,” Aiyegbusi continues.
“In the long run, providing end-to-end support and investment to start-ups benefits everyone. As these start-ups grow, they contribute to the growth of their communities’ economies, provide jobs and opportunities, and provide solutions. A more robust African economy benefits everyone, and Google is committed to assisting African businesses in their growth “‘I conclude,’ he says.
Several selected start-ups (in alphabetical order)
Clafiya (Nigeria): Clafiya connects patients with health practitioners to deliver on-demand primary care throughout Africa.
Fleetsimplify (Kenya): Fleetsimplify is a shared mobility fleet management platform.
HydroIQ (Kenya): HydroIQ is a virtual water network that enables users and utilities to manage their water consumption and management through a single, transparent interface.
iVerify.ng (Nigeria): iVerify.ng is a platform for onboarding digital identities.
LaRuche Health (Côte d’Ivoire): LaRuche Health provides inclusive mobile applications that streamline care delivery and increase patient access to preventive healthcare treatments.
LyRise (Egypt): LyRise is a platform that enables businesses to hire and collaborate with vetted AI and data talent from Africa.
MDaaS Global (Nigeria): MDaas develops and manages modern, technology-enabled diagnostic services in Nigeria’s clinically underserved communities.
Multiplied (South Africa): Multiplied enables data-driven design at scale by providing marketing with infinitely personalized content.
Nulitics (South Africa): Nulitics is a Mixed Reality (XR) software development and system integration company specializing on XR wearable technology.
Ridelink (Uganda): At the touch of a button, Ridelink makes freight mobility affordable and accessible to small enterprises.
SmartClass (Tanzania): SmartClass is a peer-to-peer skill-building network that enables adolescents to learn from one another.
Sukhiba (Kenya): Sukhiba is a community-based commerce platform that is decentralized.
Terawork (Nigeria): Terawork is an online pan-African freelance marketplace that connects African talent to the global workforce.
The Marking App (South Africa): The Marking App is a data-free program that automates the marking of handwritten school assessments and school administration.
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truQ (Nigeria): truQ is a technology-enabled logistics platform for automated retail distribution enterprises in Africa that automates and optimizes short-haul (or intracity) logistics.
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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