Tech giant, Google has admitted the Class 4 of its annual programme tagged Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa. The class will hold in Lagos with 12 startups selected across Africa.
The head of Startup Success and Services at Google Launchpad Accelerator Class 4, Fola Olatunji-David, while speaking about the programme said that the startups were selected from six countries and six sectors. He made it known that just like the previous class, the programme is aimed at building success.
“We continue to be impressed by the quality of startups that apply to the Launchpad Accelerator Africa programme, Class 4 is no exception and we expect them to build on the successes of the previous three classes.”
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Why this matters: Since Google started the initiative, it has helped startups develop while also putting them on the limelight for possible funding and investments in millions of dollars. Google has also made job opportunities available for young people all over Africa.
About the startups: According to Olatunji-David, Class 4 comprises 12 startups from 6 African countries – Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Uganda. The startups are:
- Afara Partners (Nigeria);
- BrandBook (South Africa);
- Elewa (Kenya);
- Eversend (Uganda) ;
- OZE (Ghana);
- Phenomenal Technologies (Zimbabwe) ;
- REACH (Nigeria);
- Sortd (South Africa);
- TradeBuza (Nigeria);
- Tulaa (Kenya);
- XEND (Nigeria); and
- WorkPay (Kenya).
Google said the new intakes would address some big challenges, including access to financial services, education, and agriculture. It also said they had collectively earned in excess of $600, 000 in revenue over the past six months.
How the startups were selected: The selected startups represent those using technology to create positive impacts in key industries in their regions. The applications from different startups were sent between Friday, June 21, 2019, and Friday, July 26, 2019.
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What you should know: The Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa was first announced in July 2017. It is one of Google’s initiatives that aim to support the African entrepreneurial ecosystem.
