Meet The African Startups Joining Google Black Founders Fund 2023

25 innovative African startups have been selected for the third cohort of Google for Startups’ Black Founders Fund.

Head of Startup Ecosystem, Sub Saharan Africa, Folarin Aiyebusi wrote, “we’ve seen firsthand how the startups in Africa are embracing the limitless possibilities of tomorrow, and it’s truly inspiring.”

Africa’s population is rapidly increasing, with projections indicating that by 2050, one-third of Africans will be under 35.

This demographic wave offers many opportunities for startups to cater to a booming market.

Now in its third year, the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund supports Black founders and each startup is given $150,000 in non-dilutive cash awards, up to $200,000 in cloud credits and app support, mentoring by industry execs, and connections inside Google’s network.

Meet the startups

Akoma Health (Nigeria): Tech platform for accessible, culturally conscious mental health services in Africa.

BezoMoney (Ghana): Digital banking for Africa’s underbanked via mobile/web platforms.

Charger (Senegal): Digital trucking platform connecting shippers/carriers in Francophone West Africa.

Charis UAS (Rwanda): Provides 3D geospatial data via drone technology.

Evolve Credit (Nigeria): SaaS for digitising and managing banking services.

Excel At Uni (South Africa): Supports student funders via digital services.

EzyAgric (Uganda): AI-powered mobile technology to enhance Africa’s farming sector.

Fez Delivery (Nigeria): Last-mile logistics platform for various industries.

Fleetsimplify (Kenya): Monetization platform connecting gig drivers and vehicle owners.

HealthDart (South Africa): Digital HMO providing end-to-end health services with insurance.

Herconomy (Nigeria): Female-focused fintech aiming to be Africa’s first women’s bank.

Jumba (Kenya): Improving Kenya’s construction sector supply chain via B2B platform.

MDaaS Global (Nigeria): Tech-powered diagnostic centres for affordable healthcare.

My Pocket Counsel (Nigeria): Legal tech platform for contract generation and management.

Orda (Nigeria): Pan-African neobank for restaurants, offering cloud-based software.

Periculum (Nigeria): Data company aiding in credit assessment, fraud/churn risk.

Raenest (Nigeria): Fintech offering global financial services to freelancers/ startups in Africa.

Ridelink (Uganda): E-logistics platform providing shipping and real-time tracking.

Susu (COte d’Ivoire): Health platform providing healthcare services/ insurance funded by African diaspora.

Talamus Health (Ghana): Tech solutions targeting healthcare inefficiencies in Africa.

TruQ (Nigeria): Streamlining mid-mile logistics across Africa with third-party vehicle connectivity.

Tushop (Kenya): Tech platform for group buying of daily essentials in Kenya.

Uzapoint (Kenya): Mobile/web POS for digitising bookkeeping in Africa’s informal sector. 

Zinacare (South Africa): Online platform for accessible, affordable healthcare services.

Zydii (Kenya): Localised digital training solutions for African SMEs.

You can also get to know last year’s cohort here.