Twelve tech startups have been selected to form the third cohort of the Google Launchpad Africa accelerator, which assists startups in leveraging Google’s technologies and people to scale their businesses.
Formed six years ago, Launchpad connects startups from around the world with Google staff, networks, methodologies, and technologies, and has worked with market leaders in over 40 countries.
Twelve startups were chosen to form the inaugural African cohort of the three-month programme, which operates out of Lagos, in March of last year, while a second cohort announced in August. Google has now named the third cohort of startups, as well as those selected for programmes in Brazil and India, after receiving over 1,000 applications.
The selected startups come from six African countries, with Kenya leading the way with four – payments platform Data Integrated, lending service Kwara, addressing platform OkHi, and diagnostics app Tambua Health.
Nigeria is represented by three startups in the form of drug discovery solution 54Gene, education funding platform ScholarX, and pharmacy marketplace WellaHealth, while South Africa’s two representatives are CX research platform Voyc.ai and career guidance and student funding startup Zelda Learning.
Egyptian nutritionist-finder service Instadiet.me, Senegalese last mile delivery startup PAPS and Ugandan payments solution Swipe2pay complete the cohort.
“The startups chosen represent those using technology to create a positive impact on key industries in their region and we look forward to supporting them and connecting them with startup ecosystems around the world,” said Roy Glasberg, founder of Launchpad Accelerator.
