Google for start-ups a global business accelerator program that has now had its inaugural regional program specifically for the South African start-up market.
This year’s program received over 800 applications for the program in 2024. There were with 35 selected to go through the initial touchpoint session in Cape Town and a week long virtual accelerator training and mentorship program. The 15 finalists have pitched their programs live in Johannesburg today.
Start-Up Support Eco-System
The program is a complete eco-system of investments, mentorships and business support that is able to help scale the startup companies.
Google provides scope for its existing staff that are able to utilise 20% of their time at work to provide support for projects that help uplift the community and also startups and many of the managers in Google make themselves available to help grow these startups. These staff members provide assistance with business foundations such as developing a solid founding vision & structure, mentorships, insights, Assit in raising funding and assistance in scaling their business.
Among the alumi company’s from the Accelerator program in Africa are 19 Unicorn start-ups created by the program that has created around 56 000 new jobs.
South African Startups that have benefitted from the program include, Pineapple insurance, Agricool, Akiba, Avalon and Brandbook. Another well known company is Money Point that in particular is one of the star local startups that came through the Google startup program that is now valued as a multi-billion dollar company.
The filalists will all receive $50 000 funding from Google and were able to pitch their business to potential investors at the final Accellerator day this Afternoon (20 March)
The businesses are all existing businesses that have all been in business for at least three years, with many having already raised funds for growth and expansion. The industries covered are diverse, from logistics, Bio-tech, Construction, e-commerce, Ed-Tech, Fashion and even Health Tech industries.
Included in the startup finalists this year were:
Welo– a health-Tech company focussed on providing effective healthcare solutions in the workplace
Wisi-Oi – A video based reseller for second hand clothing
CureRoot – a Bio Tech company focussed on pioneering the use of African medicinal plant diversity to develop innovative pharmaceutical drugs.
Breaze Delivery – A Turnkey last mile delivery service providing independent businesses and ecommerce platforms with effective same-day delivery services
Asset Share – an AI enabled platform that facilitates efficient machine rentals in the construction industry
Simple Influence – a unique platform providing a seamless interaction platform between African content creators and influencers and marketers
