Google Connects Startups with UK — with Startups Collectively Raise $4.3M

TechInAfrica — Google has hosted its first Google Startup Week in Lagos, seeing Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa graduates, from across Africa, pitch for funding from some of Africa and the UK’s top VCs.

The program also marked the completion and graduation of Launchpad Accelerator Africa Class 4 which involved participants consist of 12 teams.

The Class 4 startups have raised $4.3m collectively, created over 300 jobs and signed up over 110,000 users.

Before the program, they raised more than $600,000 and could use Launchpad Accelerator Africa to take their businesses to new levels.

In collaboration with Launchpad Accelerator Africa, Google had focused on connecting high potential early-stage startups with the dedicated support of Google for Startups UK to help them scale their startup to the next level, Google’s representative said.

“Every year, Africa’s economic growth continues to strengthen. Google for Startups has put its weight behind supporting the continent’s startups as they continue to build great products tackling key global social issues,” Marta Krupinska, head of Google Startups, UK said.

She said that this program as an incredibly exciting space that is very relevant to the UK ecosystem and investors.

Having completed their London Immersion, Launchpad Accelerator Africa Class 1, 2, and 3 alumni also met with investors from the UK and Africa during Google Startup Week in Lagos held recently to pitch for funding to scale their businesses.

Launchpad Accelerator Africa Class 4, which comprised 12 startups from six countries, addressing six different sectors that graduated last week as part of the Google Startup Week activities. The program also saw participants from all 4 classes get a chance to meet, engage with each other, and share their experiences for the first time.

“We believe Africans can solve Africa’s problems,” Fola Olatunji-David, the program’s head of startup success and services said.

He added, “In running Launchpad Accelerator Africa, we specifically look to work with startups that share this vision. Launchpad Class 4 is tackling some of Africa’s most pressing challenges, including access to financial services, education, and agriculture.”

According to the records, since Launchpad Accelerator Africa was first announced in late 2017, the program has worked with 47 startups on their growth journey. These startups have raised millions of dollars in investments and created hundreds of jobs across Africa.

The Class 4 startups teams that graduated at the last Google Startup Week Lagos are: