Nigeria, Kenya Dominate As Google Selects 15 Startups For Accelerator Programme

Startups in Nigeria and Kenya have dominated as Google selects 15 African startups for its Accelerator Africa Class 7.

Google selected the startups from Seven African countries and Nigerian startups dominated the list.

Meanwhile, while startups in Kenya came second in the dominance, Cote D’Ivoire made its first representation on the list.

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Google announced the participants and said it selected the startups for developing solutions in healthcare, education, fleet management, logistics automation and recruiting.

The selection:

Meanwhile, startups that made the list emerged from a stiff competition where thousands of other startups sent in applications.

However, Google considered three stages to arrive at its final selection. The three stages include programme alignment and market fit.

Below are the startups that Google selected for the programme:

1. Clafiya (Nigeria): Clafiya connects patients to health practitioners to provide fast and affordable on demand primary care services in Africa.

2. Fleetsimplify (Kenya): Fleetsimplify is a fleet management platform for shared mobility.

3. HydroIQ (Kenya): HydroIQ is a virtual water network that gives consumers and utilities a single, transparent platform to manage their water consumption and management.

Also, others are:

4. iVerify.ng (Nigeria): iVerify.ng is a digital identity onboarding platform.

5. LaRuche Health (Côte d’Ivoire): LaRuche Health offers inclusive apps that simplify care delivery and improve patient access to preventive healthcare services.

Others include: 6. LyRise (Egypt): LyRise is a platform that provides companies with an easier, faster way to hire and work with vetted AI and data talents from Africa.

7. MDaaS Global (Nigeria): MDaas builds and operates modern, technology-enabled diagnostic services in clinically-underserved communities in Nigeria.

Also, other startups that made the list includes 8. Multiplied (South Africa): Multiplied offers data-driven design at scale through infinite personalised content for marketing.

9. Nulitics (South Africa): Nulitics is a specialist Mixed Reality (XR) software development and system integrator with a focus on XR wearable technology.

10. Ridelink (Uganda): Ridelink makes cargo mobility affordable and accessible for small businesses at the tap of a button.

Also, others are: 11. SmartClass (Tanzania): SmartClass is a skill-learning network that enables youth to learn from their peers.

12. Sukhiba (Kenya): Sukhiba is a decentralised community-based commerce platform.

13. Terawork (Nigeria): Terawork is a pan-African online freelance marketplace plugging Africa talent into the global workforce.

Likewise, other startups that made the list includes 14. The Marking App (South Africa): The Marking App provides a data-free application that automatically marks handwritten school assessments while also automating school administration.

15. truQ (Nigeria): truQ is a tech-enabled logistics platform automating and optimising short haul (or intracity) logistics for automated retail distribution companies in Africa.

Google said the startups will, for te next three months, work with Google mentors and facilitators.

Meanwhile, they will learn best practices in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Big Data.

Also, they will learn organisational culture, growth strategies  and others that they can integrate in their businesses.

Additionally, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme also include seminars, mentorships and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

Its Bootcamps will take place in March, April and May.

Speaking on the selection, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa, Folarin Aiyegbusi  said as follows:

“We’re thrilled to be starting off our seventh cohort with such a diverse and inspiring group of companies who are harnessing technology to tackle the problems that many people on the continent face every day.

Also, Aiyegbusi noted that “Startups in Africa are solving some of the region’s most pressing issues -from employment to logistics, banking, healthcare, and education.

“This is a journey that we’re happy to be on.”

So far, over 82 startups from 17 African countries have benefitted from the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programmes in four years.

Also, while they have raised $112 million, these startups have equally created over 2800 direct jobs.

Meanwhile. Google has, in the past four years, invested $5 million in the startups, among others.