Google for Startups

🔥 Build the future, faster! Want to use AI to 10x your startup? Enroll in Startup School: Gen AI, kicking off on October 29: https://goo.gle/4eX6OJ1

Seed and Series A funding remained relatively strong in 2024, as tracked by Crunchbase, signaling continued confidence in early-stage innovation. Did you secure funding this year? Share your insights in the comments below 👇

What’s your #1 goal for your startup in 2025? Set your intentions for the year ahead👇

What was your biggest takeaway in 2024 as a founder? Let’s learn from each other in the comments👇

Across the world, startups are using AI to break down barriers to mental health support. O7 Therapy CEO/cofounder Ashraf Bacheet has created an AI-driven platform that matches Arabic speakers with the most suitable therapists, while HearMe.pl CEO/cofounder Kasia Gryzlo helps companies better understand employee well-being trends through AI-powered insights. Learn more about their impact:

Celebrating the Success of Google for Startups' Black Founders Fund in Africa in Kenya 🇰🇪 It's been an incredible week here in Nairobi! As the fund manager for Google's Black Founders Fund (BFF), I have the distinct privilege of working with some of the most exceptional founders on the continent. We're celebrating the achievements of these incredible entrepreneurs and the release of the BFF Impact Report, which showcases the tremendous impact the BFF has had on the African tech ecosystem. (And yes, that includes some serious founder bonding over a 6am safari - gotta love those early morning networking sessions! 🦒) Here's the challenge: The African tech ecosystem is valued at $482.7B, yet only 3.11% of the $13.3B invested in Africa went to Black founders. This represents a massive $10B investment opportunity gap! The BFF is just one piece of the puzzle, but I believe that it is a crucial one. By investing in Black-led startups, we are not just changing the story of tech in Africa; we are unlocking new pathways to progress, sustainability, and prosperity for the entire continent. Since its launch in 2021, the BFF has supported over 135 startups across the continent, helping them raise $279+ million, create 4,050+ jobs, and grow 61% faster than their peers -- and 50.4% of leadership positions are women-led! 👏 But the impact of the BFF goes beyond the numbers. It has also helped to change the narrative around what Black entrepreneurs can achieve when given the right support. The success of BFF portfolio startups like Zuri Health , Garri Logistics, Fleetsimplify and many more proves that Black founders in Africa can overcome systemic barriers, scale their businesses, and make meaningful contributions to the global economy. I am constantly inspired by the resilience, creativity, and determination of the Black founders I have met through the BFF. They are building innovative solutions to some of Africa's most pressing challenges, and they are creating jobs and opportunities for their communities. Last week, we embarked on an ecosystem immersion tour, where we visited some of these incredible startups firsthand, including Turaco and Zuri Health . It's an amazing opportunity to see the real-world impact of the BFF and connect with the founders driving change across the continent. Thank you to our Google Country Director Agnes Gathaiya for welcoming us in Nairobi alongside the Deputy Minister Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, MBS from the Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy listening to startups from 7 different African nations. Special thank you to Folarin Oreoluwa Aiyegbusi Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade Michael Murungi Alex Okosi for leading Google's exceptional work on the continent. Thank you Matt Brittin for being such a strong advocate. 👏 Read more about this week's summit here: https://lnkd.in/eJJmVWvE

The Google for Startups #Accelerator: Canada 🇨🇦 Demo Day celebration is just over 1 week away! Please join us (virtually or in-person) on December 5th as we celebrate the accomplishments of our 14 technology #startups in the 2024 cohort. We can't wait to show you all the progress they've made over the 10 weeks! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gZPiWEQv ▶ Aya Care ▶ BioTwin ▶ Deeplite ▶ Defang Software Labs ▶ envision.ai ▶ EZee Assist ▶ Handy.ai ▶ OkRx ▶ OPTT Health ▶ PulseMedica ▶ runQL ▶ Streamline ▶ Transitional Forms ▶ Vaultie #AcceleratedwithGoogle

“Building with inclusivity from the start means you'll create higher quality products that can reach a greater number of people. — Senior Applied AI Scientist Yusuf Sarıgöz Check out Yusuf Sarıgöz and NeuroVision AI Tech founder Zülal Tannur’s advice for unlocking the potential of diverse perspectives.  #InternationalDayofPersonswithDisabilities

Thinking about applying to a Google for Startups Accelerator program? Explore the open December applications below ⬇️

Graduation day is almost here! Earlier this year, we introduced the first-ever Google for Startups Accelerator: Apps cohort and they’re now taking the next step in their growth journeys. 🎓👏 Join us on December 9 to discover how this talented group is leveraging innovation to bring their Android apps and solutions to life. ⬇️