How to apply to the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund (Africa)

TL;DR

The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund gives Black-founded African startups up to $150,000 in non-dilutive cash, plus up to $200,000 in Google Cloud credits, mentoring, and advertising support, in annual cohorts. Apply through startup.google.com when a new cohort window opens.

Who runs it

Google for Startups runs the Black Founders Fund as a grant program, not an investment vehicle. The third African cohort awarded $4 million across 25 startups; the second cohort granted the same total across 60 startups. Named grantees span healthtech (Akoma Health), logistics (Chargel), fintech (Susu, focused on women's banking), agritech (EzyAgric), and e-commerce (Tushop), among others.

What they fund

Stage: Seed through Series A-adjacent, growth-stage startups with demonstrated traction
Sectors: Broad, spanning fintech, healthtech, agritech, logistics, and e-commerce across recent cohorts
Grant size: Up to $150,000 non-dilutive cash, plus up to $200,000 in Google Cloud credits
Structure: Grant-track, non-dilutive; Google takes no equity

How to apply

Applications run on an annual cohort cycle through startup.google.com/programs/black-founders-fund/africa. There is no rolling application window, so founders should monitor Google for Startups' African program channels for the announcement of each new cohort's opening.

Portfolio pattern (grant recipients)

Third cohort grantees included Akoma Health, Chargel, Jumba, Susu, EzyAgric, Excel At Uni, Herconomy, Zinacare, and Tushop, spanning healthcare access, logistics, fintech, agritech, and retail. The pattern favours Black-founded startups with real growth traction across a wide sector range, not a narrow vertical thesis.

Before you apply

Have these ready before the application window opens:

Deck: Check your readiness first so you know where the gaps are
Metrics dashboard: Set up your metrics dashboard so you can show real growth traction
A clear articulation of your growth trajectory and how the grant accelerates it
Confirmation you meet the Black founder leadership criteria the program targets

FAQ

Does this program take equity?

No, it's entirely non-dilutive. Google takes no equity stake in exchange for the grant.

Is this a rolling application?

No, it runs in annual cohorts. Check startup.google.com for the current cohort's application window.

What sectors does it fund?

Broadly across fintech, healthtech, agritech, logistics, and e-commerce, based on recent cohort composition. There's no single narrow vertical thesis.