How to Apply to Google Ksh 465M Fund Targeting Kenyans
Kenyans with unique ideas have a chance to advance their startups after tech giant Google launched this year’s Google African Startup Black Founders Fund (BFF).
The fund aims to promote 60 African start-ups and plans to spend 465 million Kenyan shillings ($4 million) on the program, according to the tech giant.
Successful applicants are eligible for equity-free cash awards of KSh 5 million to 10 million to further advance their ideas.
The startups will also receive up to KSh 20 million in Google Cloud credits and access to a network of mentors to help overcome each startup’s unique challenges. These include Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa.
In a statement, the tech giant announced the launch of the project to support innovation in underserved regions.
“The Black African Founders Fund demonstrates our commitment to supporting innovation in underserved regions. Black-led tech startups face an unfair VC funding environment, which is why we are committed to helping them thrive and become better, And to ensuring the prosperity of our regional communities and economies.
“The fund will provide cash incentives and practical support to 60 black-led startups in Africa, which we hope will help develop affordable solutions to fundamental challenges affecting people at the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid in Africa,” The head of the startup said Ecosystem, SSA, Folarin Aiyegbusi.
How to Apply to Google Ksh 465M Fund Targeting Kenyans
Applicants must be early-stage startups with black founders or a diverse founding team and should be based on the African continent. Startups should also benefit the African community, build technological solutions for African and world markets, and should have employment and growth potential.
To apply, interested candidates should visit www.campus.co/africa/black-founders-fund/ and they must enter their email address.
A questionnaire will be provided asking for personal data as well as the start-up company and should be filled out promptly.
The application deadline is May 31, 2022, and the winners will be announced on July 29, 2022.
Google for Startups Black Founders launched in 2020 at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests.
