LIST | Here Are the 6 South African Startups Selected for the 2024 ‘Google for Startups’ Accelerator Africa: Black Founders Programme

Google has selected six startups for the 2024 cohort of the ‘Google for Startups’ Accelerator Africa: Black Founders Programme.

In October 2024, Google extended an invitation for Black-owned South African startups to apply for its hybrid accelerator programme, which is set to run until March 2025.

The selected startups will each receive up to R1 million ( ~ $54,700) in non-dilutive funding, which means the founders retain full ownership without giving up equity. Additionally, these startups will gain access of up to R3.6 million (~$197,000) in Google Cloud credits.

“Aside from the funding and credits they will receive, Google will also be providing one-on-one training and networking with mentors to address the unique challenges faced by each business,” said Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startups Ecosystem, Africa at Google.

Below are the selected startups:

• Aveade: An online marketplace connecting buyers and sellers, with a focus on accessibility and diverse product offerings
• Breaze Delivery: An on-demand delivery platform that connects businesses with a network of drivers to facilitate deliveries
• Mapha Logistics: Empowers township, peri-urban and rural merchants with innovative digital tools to streamline their business operations
• Swagshack: An online street fashion order and delivery service that serves as an intermediary between upcoming fashion brands and customers
• Vuleka: An e-commerce and fintech platform that connects informal township businesses to customers through online and offline channels
• Wisi-Oi: A video-based resell fashion platform for people to buy and sell pre-loved fashion

“We are excited to see how each of the selected businesses will use this opportunity to bridge digital gaps, break down barriers to accessibility, and ultimately ensure digital transformation takes place across the continent and globally,” added Aiyegbusi.

The latest group of startups joins alumni from Google’s Accelerator and Black Founders Fund programs spanning Africa, Europe, Brazil, and the United States. Collectively, these startups have received over $30 million in funding from Google aimed at fostering business development and supporting innovation across diverse markets.