Connect with us

Startups

Applications Are Now Open For Google Startups Black Founders Fund in Africa 2023

Published

on

Start-up - Investors King

Google has recently announced that the application process for the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund 2023 is now open for Black founders across the African continent.

As part of its commitment to support diversity in the tech industry, the company has pledged to provide $4 million in funding to eligible Black-founded startups.

To qualify for the fund, Google disclosed that Startups must be operating and headquartered in Africa or have a legal presence on the continent. Startups must have black founders or diverse founding teams, directly support their domestic market, intend to expand globally, and raise more funding.

Also, Technology startups with an MVP, live product in a market or business where technology is core to their ability to scale (not for consultancies or not-for-profits).

Other eligibility criteria for startups are that the business should be benefitting the black community, and also startups are expected to be building for Africa and have the growth potential to raise more funding, create jobs, and generally be making a measurable impact.

Speaking on the initiative, the head of the startup ecosystem, Google sub-Saharan Africa, Folarin Aiyegbusi said, “the support that the selected startups will receive will go a long way to unlock the potential and promote growth in the African tech ecosystem and the next generation of African entrepreneurs”. She further encouraged all eligible startups to apply for the fund, noting that applications will end on the 26th of March 2023.

To apply, startups can visit the program page and learn more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply. Shortlisted applicants will be notified and invited to interview in May with an experienced panel led by the company’s team. A pan-European, cross-functional senior selection committee will make a final decision after considering all the information gathered during the application process. From June 11th- 15th, there will be an in-person kick-off in London and Paris. The program starts in June and ends in November 2023.

Upon selection, startups will receive up to $150,000 equity-free cash awards and up to $200,000 per startup in Google Cloud credits, support in form of training, and access to a network of mentors to assist in tackling the challenges unique to each startup.

What to expect

  • Startups will select three goals or OKRs to work on for the duration of this program.
  • Founders will be assigned a dedicated Google advisor.
  • Founders will be connected to meet mentors monthly via Google Meet.
  • Startups can build community with other program participants and partake in workshops and skill-building online sessions.

Countries Eligible for the Funds

The application is open to entrepreneurs in selected African countries: Botswana, Cameroon, Côte D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. 

Investors King understands that by funding Black founders, Google is promoting wealth generation and job creation in Africa. The first and second cohorts of the Black founder’s funds supported 110 black-owned startups on the African continent.

Continue Reading
Comments

Startups

Google Leads $250 Million Funding Round for Glance

Published

on

A logo is pictured at Google's European Engineering Center in Zurich

Google is leading a $250 million funding round for Glance, a mobile content provider.

This infusion of capital aims to expand Glance’s reach and solidify its market position amidst growing competition.

Glance, a subsidiary of InMobi Group, offers a unique service that delivers news, entertainment, and other content directly to users’ mobile screens without unlocking their devices.

With a user base exceeding 300 million across India, the US, Japan, and Indonesia, the startup has gained significant traction since its inception in 2019.

The funding round, expected to close in the coming weeks, marks a continued partnership between Google and Glance.

Google initially invested in the company in 2020, and this latest round will further enhance Glance’s capabilities to innovate and reach new audiences.

This investment reflects Google’s strategic interest in India, the world’s most populous nation, where it competes with tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon.

With India’s rapidly growing middle class and increasing smartphone adoption, the market presents vast opportunities for digital expansion.

The support from Google comes on the heels of a previous $200 million investment by Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s wealthiest individual, which valued Glance at over $1 billion.

The startup’s largest stakeholder, InMobi, continues to thrive as a pioneer in mobile advertising, with Glance benefiting from its expertise and resources.

As Glance prepares for this new phase of growth, it stands poised to redefine how content is consumed on mobile devices worldwide.

Continue Reading

Startups

Former Konga CEO Nick Imudia Dies by Suicide in Lagos Home

Published

on

Nick Imudia

The Nigerian business community was rocked by tragedy as Nick Imudia, former CEO of e-commerce giant Konga and current CEO of solar energy solutions innovator D.light, died by suicide in his Lekki apartment.

Imudia’s death, confirmed on the night of Tuesday, June 25, has left friends, family, and colleagues in a state of shock and sorrow.

According to sources, Imudia reportedly took his own life by jumping from the balcony of his home. In the moments leading up to the tragic incident, he made a series of distressing phone calls.

He reached out to his brother in the United States, giving detailed instructions on how to distribute his wealth should anything happen to him.

Imudia also spoke to his young daughter from a previous relationship, offering her comforting words and telling her to look to the sky to see him.

Imudia’s sudden death has raised many questions among those who knew him. Described by colleagues as a visionary leader, Imudia was instrumental in the growth of Konga, one of Nigeria’s largest e-commerce platforms.

After his tenure at Konga, he continued to make significant contributions to the tech industry as the CEO of D.light, a company known for its innovative residential solar energy solutions.

Imudia hailed from Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State and had a young daughter from a previous marriage that ended due to irreconcilable differences.

Despite the end of his marriage, those close to him said he maintained a strong bond with his daughter, often expressing his deep affection for her.

The reasons behind Imudia’s decision to end his life remain unclear. As news of his death spread, messages of condolence and tributes poured in from friends, family, and business associates.

Many have expressed their profound sadness and confusion as Imudia was widely seen as a successful and driven individual.

“Nick was a brilliant mind and a compassionate leader,” said a former colleague. “His death is a huge loss to the tech community in Nigeria and beyond. We are all struggling to understand why this happened.”

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Imudia’s death. Meanwhile, his family has asked for privacy as they navigate this difficult time.

Nick Imudia’s death is a stark reminder of the unseen struggles many face, even those who appear successful and accomplished.

His passing has sparked conversations about mental health awareness, urging individuals to seek help and support when needed.

Continue Reading

Startups

Gokada CEO’s Former Assistant Found Guilty of Gruesome Murder and Embezzlement

Published

on

Tyrese Haspil, the former executive assistant of Fahim Saleh, CEO of Gokada, has been found guilty of first-degree murder and multiple counts of embezzlement.

The verdict, delivered by a Manhattan jury on Monday, marks the end of a harrowing legal saga that unfolded over accusations of financial betrayal and a brutal homicide.

Prosecutors detailed how Haspil, 25, meticulously planned and executed the murder of his boss in July 2020 to cover up a complex embezzlement scheme.

Haspil, entrusted with managing Saleh’s financial affairs, reportedly siphoned approximately $400,000 from the tech entrepreneur’s accounts over several months using fraudulent transactions and hidden accounts.

The trial revealed that tensions escalated when Saleh discovered the embezzlement and confronted Haspil earlier in 2020.

Instead of facing the consequences, Haspil opted to silence Saleh permanently, fearing exposure and legal repercussions.

On July 13, 2020, Haspil followed Saleh into his Lower East Side condominium, where he incapacitated him with a taser and fatally stabbed him multiple times.

Following the heinous act, Haspil returned the next day to dismember Saleh’s body in an attempt to conceal the crime.

However, he abandoned the cleanup midway upon discovering police presence outside Saleh’s apartment.

Saleh’s cousin, checking on him after being unable to reach him, made the gruesome discovery of the dismembered body.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution painted a chilling portrait of Haspil’s calculated actions, describing how he methodically planned the murder to prevent Saleh from reporting him to authorities.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the tragedy of Saleh’s untimely death, highlighting his entrepreneurial success and contributions to the tech industry.

“I hope the accountability delivered by today’s verdict can provide a measure of comfort to Mr. Saleh’s loved ones as they continue to mourn his loss,” Bragg stated in a post-verdict statement.

Haspil, represented by Sam Roberts of The Legal Aid Society, faces a sentencing hearing scheduled for September.

The case has drawn widespread attention for its grisly details and the betrayal of trust between a CEO and his assistant, underscoring the vulnerabilities within corporate settings and the drastic consequences of financial malfeasance.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending