This year's Black Founders Fund recipients in Africa and Europe
In 2022, just 1% of all venture capital funding went to Black-founded companies. Since 2020, we’ve provided more than $45 million in cash funding to 547 Black founders via our Google for Startups Black Founders Fund in Africa, Brazil, Europe and the United States. Startup recipients have gone on to raise over $400 million in additional investment after being selected, and used the non-dilutive funds to create jobs and grow their revenue.
Last week, we wrapped up six months of hands-on mentorship support and programming by welcoming 32 of the 2023 Black Founders Fund recipients from across Europe and Africa in Cape Town. I was honored to welcome founders with a keynote, fireside chat and Q&A to show unwavering support for our Black founders.
With more than 50% female leadership and representing more than 12 countries, this year’s Black Founders Fund cohort in Europe and Africa is nothing short of exceptional. From building women-focused investment platforms to using AI in supporting frequently overlooked jobseekers, I am excited for Google to continue to play a part in supporting the growth of these companies.
Claudine Adeyemi, cofounder of Earlybird
London, United Kingdom
Earlybird combines generative AI and voice technology to help providers save time and money whilst delivering better employment outcomes for frequently overlooked jobseekers.
Abraham Mbuthia, cofounder of Uzapoint
Nairobi, Kenya
Uzapoint offers a simple, affordable, cutting-edge Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) mobile and web Point of Sale (POS) application designed to help small scale retailers automate their business operations and help them communicate with both their suppliers and customers.
Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti, Founder of Herconomy
Lagos, Nigeria
Herconomy is female-focused fintech company and the first bank in Nigeria dedicated to creating financial resources for women.
Esther Karwera, cofounder of EzyAgric
Kampala, Uganda
EzyAgric is an ag-tech company and marketplace that uses AI to simplify production, marketing and financial services for farmers and agribusinesses.
David Weber, cofounder of Nooxit
Berlin, Germany
Nooxit is an AI platform that automates financial and accounting processes, leveraging historical ERP data to interpret documents, automate tax auditing and detect transactional anomalies.
Hodan Aden, cofounder of Empire AI
Oslo, Norway
Empire AI leverages artificial intelligence to help users plan and manage office spaces, making office buildings more space efficient, sustainable, and people-centric.
Eric Rutayisire Muziga, founder of CHARIS UAS
Kigali, Rwanda
Using AI-powered autonomous vehicles, Charis UAS provides near real-time and easily accessible 3D geospatial data analytics to help solve Africa’s biggest sustainability challenges.
Folusho Ojo, cofounder of TruQ
Lagos, Nigeria
TruQ is an operating system for third-party logistics that uses AI to connect businesses and individuals across Africa to the closest vehicle in real time.
Gary Izunwa, cofounder of Tangent
London, United Kingdom
Tangent connects talent from socially diverse backgrounds to tech employees for employee referrals, with a goal of making the hiring process more equitable and accessible.
Yauvan Hansraj, Njabulo Skhosana, and Tshwanelo Matsane, cofounders of Healthdart
Johannesburg, South Africa
HealthDart integrated digital pharmacy and telemedicine platform aiming to make healthcare more accessible and affordable throughout South Africa.
Spending time with founders for this year's closing event affirms why the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund remains the benchmark for corporate investment and allyship for the startup ecosystem. Racial equity isn't achieved by isolated moments throughout any one year — it's a continuous, focused effort to support people, just as they are, wherever they may be.
Learn more about the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund, and see the entire list of global Black Founders Fund recipients in the comprehensive Google for Startups alumni directory.
