Google Announces 2023 Black Founders Fund Cohort in Africa

Google for Startups has selected 25 African startups for the Black Founders Fund (BFF)’s third cohort, with women-led or co-founded startups making up 72% of the group. The startups, representing the diverse entrepreneurial spirit found across the continent, are among the 40 startups chosen from Europe and Africa for the cohort. Each selected startup will receive up to USD 150 K in non-dilutive cash awards, up to USD 200 K in Google Cloud credits, advertising support, one-on-one mentoring from industry experts, and invaluable connections within Google’s network. 

The Black Founders Fund provides equity-free grants and mentoring to early-stage, high-growth Black-led businesses across Europe and Africa to combat systemic racial inequality in venture capital (VC) funding. The funding will provide the companies with the capital they require to expand into new markets and take their businesses to the next level, increasing business opportunities and job creation. Nigeria has the most grantees (10), with Kenya (5), and South Africa (3) completing the top three. Ghana (2), Uganda (2), Côte d’Ivoire (1), Rwanda (1), and Senegal (1) round up the list.

The startups include, Nigeria’s Akoma Health, Evolve Credit, Fez Delivery, Herconomy, MDaaS Global, My Pocket Counsel, Orda, Periculum, Raenest, and TruQ; Kenya’s Fleetsimplify, Jumba, Tushop, Uzapoint, and Zydii; South Africa’s Excel At Uni, HealthDart, and Zinacare; Ghana’s Talamus Health and BezoMoney; Uganda’s EzyAgric and Ridelink; Côte d’Ivoire’s Susu; Rwanda’s Charis UAS; and Senegal’s Chargel.