Fourth cohort of Google Launchpad Africa raises $4.3 million

November 30, 2019: Google recently hosted its first Google Startup Week in Lagos, Nigeria and demo day for the fourth class of its Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa, which saw graduates pitch for funding from some of Africa and the UK’s top venture capitalists.

Google said in a statement that the 12 startups from its fourth cohort collectively raised $4.3-million, created over 300 jobs and signed up over 110,000 users. They had collectively raised in excess of $600,000 before the programme, and have been able to use Launchpad Accelerator Africa to scale their businesses to new levels.

Since Launchpad Accelerator Africa was first announced in late 2017, the programme has supported 47 startups.

These companies, Google said, have raised millions of dollars in investments and created hundreds of jobs across the continent.

All the selected startups receive working space, and access to expert advisers from Google, Silicon Valley and Africa.

Google said in the same statement that the demo day coincided with select alumni from classes one, two and three completing a three-month Google for Startups UK Africa Immersion Programme in London.

The programme is designed to bring the best of Google and the London startup ecosystem to tech companies from Africa that do not yet have a presence in the UK.

In partnership with Launchpad Accelerator Africa, the programme aims to connect high potential early-stage startups with the dedicated support of Google for Startups UK to help them take their startup to the next level.

The startups that participated in Google for Startups UK Africa Immersion Programme in London were 54gene, Fieldinsight, ThankUCash, Thrive Agric, and Piggyvest (Nigeria); Kwara, PayGo Energy, and OkHi (Kenya); Voyc (South Africa); and Paps (Senegal).