Google has revealed the startups that will participate in the first Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa class. In all, 12 startups were selected.
The search giant announced the first Launchpad Accelerator Africa class on 9 November and applications closed on 10 December 2017. Launchpad Accelerator Africa is a programme for top early-stage African startups that will operate out of Lagos, Nigeria.
Juliet Ehimuan, Country Director of Google Nigeria said: “Launchpad Accelerator Africa was announced at Google for Nigeria in July last year. At the time we also announced the extension of our Digital Skills for Africa program to train 10 million Africans, including 100,000 developers, over five years. The scholarships announced today form part of that commitment.”
Google Nigeria Country Director, @jehimuan welcoming all our startups and mentors to Launchpad Accelerator Africa. 12 Startups will embark on 12 week journey to take their companies to the next level. #LaunchpadAfrica pic.twitter.com/igiwtIOJ28
— Google in Africa (@googleafrica) March 19, 2018
Over the next three years the Launchpad Accelerator Africa programme will provide African startups with over $3-million in equity-free support, working space, and access to expert advisers from Google, Silicon Valley, and Africa. Participants receive travel and PR support during each three-month program.
Andy Volk, Sub-Saharan Africa Ecosystem Regional Manager added that: “We are thrilled to announce this, the first Launchpad Accelerator Africa class and look forward to working with them to drive innovation into the African market. Africa is home to some incredibly smart people who are working to solve the continent’s problems using homegrown solutions and we’re honoured to be able to be part of that.”
Here are the startups for the Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa class are:
Nigeria
Babymigo – a trusted social community for expecting mothers and young parents.
Kudi – Nigeria – payment for Africa through messaging.
OkadaBooks – Nigeria – a social platform that allows users easily create, spread and sell their stories/books/documents in a matter of minutes.
Piggybank.ng – Nigeria – allows Africans put aside little amounts of money periodically till they reach a savings target.
Riby – Nigeria – a peer-to-peer banking platform for cooperatives and their members that allows them to save, borrow and invest, together.
Thrive Agric – Nigeria – crowdfunds investments for smallholder farmers, and provide this to them in form of inputs, tech-driven advisory and access to the market.
Kenya
Pezesha – Kenya – a scalable Peer to Peer microlending marketplace that allows Kenyans to loan to Kenyans, securely, via mobile money using big data and credit analytics.
Flexpay – Kenya – an automated and secured layaway e-commerce system.
Ghana
OMG Digital – Ghana – a media platform that produces hyper-local, engaging and entertaining content African millennials love to consume and share.
South Africa
swiftVEE – South Africa – a platform for connecting livestock agencies to a network of buyers and sellers.
Tanzania
TangoTv – Tanzania – a media streaming and video on demand service for African local content; films and shows.
Uganda
Teheca – Uganda – helps families and individuals find the right health care providers/workers in Uganda.
