Oct 8, 2021

These are alongside other winners like Finplus, Amitruck, Akiba, and Bengali from the rest of the 13 African countries from which Google accepted applications. With this new startup funding initiative, Google is offering some support that would help accelerate growth for early-stage black-founded startups that are benefiting the black community on the continent. What Google is saying According to the company, the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund was created in response to the financial and cultural challenges that black founders regularly face. These problems have always existed but have been amplified by the pandemic realities of 2020. The covid-19 hit from last year saw a lot of tech founders affected in more ways than one. Office closures kept employees apart, event cancellations prevented founders from connecting, and many resulted in the pivoting of their startups to keep the business afloat. How will this funding work? The $3 million Google fund is allocated across a pipeline of 50 investable startups in Africa through non-dilutive funding, meaning founders do not give up any ownership in their company in exchange for this funding. Founders can use this funding to keep their doors open, pay their employees, and focus on how to build their businesses. Google announced the funding eligibility criteria sometime in June and has now been able to make a list of 50 African startup companies who are going to participate in the Africa program, which starts on October 13th. Rewards Each startup will receive either $50,000 or $100,000 in cash rewards, but this funding will vary according to the startup’s development stage, their current needs, and how much they were able to raise previously. Google strengthens Africa-wide programmes to keep internet users safe online In addition to the cash rewards, the selected companies will also receive up to $220,000 in Google Ads grants, cloud credits, and support from experienced professionals at Google. “There is a big gap in terms of access to finance,” said Nithin Gajria, Google’s managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa. Some organizations do not have as much financing as others. That’s something we’ve seen with black and female-founded businesses. And through the Black Founders Fund, we’re attempting to close that gap to some level.” If you’d like to get featured on our Entrepreneur Spotlight, click  here  to share your startup story with us. SUBSCRIBE Get latest Technology news, reviews, business-related content with a deliberate emphasis on the African narrative and insightful analysis in Nigeria – straight to your inbox.