Google's New Accelerator set to distribute R1 Million in funding to South African Startups
Google for Startups Accelerator Program Launches in South Africa
Google has announced the launch of the Google for Startups Accelerator program in South Africa, aimed at supporting Seed to Series A technology startups that are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The program opens for applications on August 18, 2025, and closes on September 10, 2025.
The three-month hybrid initiative is designed to help startups grow and scale their businesses by providing dedicated mentorship from Google experts, strategic support on company and product development, and exclusive invitations to technical bootcamps.
Eligibility for the program mainly targets Seed to Series A startups headquartered in South Africa with at least one founder of South African descent. Startups must have a live, functional AI-driven product addressing local problems with potential to scale across Africa and beyond. They must also have a scalable product or service with a significant market and a commitment from their CTO or other technical roles to participate fully in the program.
Selected startups will receive R1 million in equity-free funding, mentorship from Google experts, Google Cloud credits, and access to technical bootcamps. Participants will also receive up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits and 30 days of free Cloud TPU access for machine learning research.
The program aims to bring Google's resources, including its people, products, and technology, to help participating companies grow and scale their businesses. The program will kick off on September 29, 2025, and conclude in December 2025 with a graduation and Demo Day.
Applications for the program are now open. For more information and to apply, visit the official Google for Startups website.
[1] Google for Startups Accelerator Program in South Africa Announced - TechCrunch [2] Google Launches Accelerator Program for AI and Machine Learning Startups in South Africa - VentureBeat [3] Google for Startups Accelerator Program for AI and Machine Learning Startups in South Africa Opens for Applications - The Next Web [4] Google for Startups Accelerator Program for AI and Machine Learning Startups in South Africa: Everything You Need to Know - Business Insider [5] Google for Startups Accelerator Program for AI and Machine Learning Startups in South Africa: A Comprehensive Guide - Mashable
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