Google has announced the launch of its 2025 Google for Startups Accelerator (GFSA) programme, specifically targeting South African founders. The initiative aims to support local startups working with artificial intelligence (AI) to develop solutions for regional challenges with global potential.
The programme will be a hybrid model, running for three months, and will include seed funding to Series A tech startups. It focuses on companies leveraging AI to create solutions that can make a real difference in South Africa and across Africa.
Participants will gain access to Google’s AI tools, resources, and infrastructure, including Gemini, Google’s latest AI technology. The programme will also feature mentorship from experienced Google engineers and AI experts, providing invaluable guidance for scaling innovative solutions.
To be eligible, startups must be based in South Africa and developing solutions that address local issues with the capacity to expand across Africa or globally. The core technology must be AI-driven, and startups need to have an active, market-ready product. Companies should also be open to using Google platforms like Google Cloud to accelerate their growth and solutions.
Google emphasises the importance of understanding target markets, and startups must demonstrate strong traction and growth potential. Selected founders will also benefit from increased visibility through Google’s extensive network, providing opportunities for international exposure. Each startup will receive R1-million in funding, which is equity-free.
Google’s Africa Head of Startup Ecosystem, Folarin Aiyegbusi, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting Africa’s innovative startups. He highlighted that South African entrepreneurs are tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges and that Google is dedicated to helping them scale responsibly and inclusively.
The application process is now open, and Google will select the most promising startups through a rigorous assessment. The programme aligns with Google’s broader efforts to foster a sustainable AI ecosystem in South Africa, rooted in local realities but with a global outlook.
Since its launch in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has supported over 106 startups across 17 countries, helping them raise more than $263 million and create thousands of jobs. Google continues to invest heavily in Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, with $5 million in funding and product credits allocated to support local founders’ growth and global impact.
Apply here https://startup.google.com/programs/accelerator/africa/