Empowering the Future: Announcing the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First for MENA-T startups
The Middle East, North Africa and Turkey region is rapidly emerging as a hub for AI innovation, driving transformative change across industries. The potential is immense: PwC estimates AI could contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with McKinsey projecting up to $150 billion for GCC countries alone—representing 9% or more of their combined GDP. This potential has been recognized by regional governments, who are actively promoting rapid AI development through various initiatives.
As per Wamda’s 2024 and 2023 reports, the growth of AI investment in the region is rapidly accelerating, with its share of total startup funding more than doubling year-over-year from 2023 to 2024, and AI's contribution to the region's economy is expected to surge by 20-34% annually. PwC expects the region to accrue 2% of the total global benefits of AI in 2030, which is equivalent to US$320 billion.
Recognizing this potential and building on previous very successful programs, we are announcing the second Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First program for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkiye. This 12-week, equity-free program empowers the most promising Seed to Series A startups who are harvesting the power of AI with the infrastructure, tools, and expertise needed to scale and succeed.
Accelerate Your AI Journey with Google Cloud
The Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First MENA-T program is designed for seed to Series A startups, providing access to:
- Google Cloud Credits: Eligible startups can receive Google Cloud credits to accelerate development and deployment of AI-driven solutions.
- Technical Mentorship: Gain expert guidance from Google Cloud engineers and solution architects to optimize your cloud infrastructure for AI workloads.
- AI-Focused Workshops: Deep dive into Google Cloud's AI/ML capabilities, data analytics, and serverless computing to enhance your technical expertise.
- GTM Strategies: Participate in workshops focused on product design, business growth, and leadership development to refine your market approach.
- Networking opportunities: Connect with a curated network of investors, potential partners, and industry leaders to foster growth and innovation.
Hear from Our Alumni
¨The Google for Startups AI First-MENA- has played a big role in helping MLNetworks grow. The mentors were incredibly supportive, always going the extra mile to guide us. They also helped us connect with the right people inside and outside the Google ecosystem, which made a huge difference in refining our plans and growing faster." - Jawad Maaloum, CEO, ML Networks
“As a founder, I can confidently say the accelerator program was transformative. Google Cloud's expertise in heatmap modeling optimization directly led to a 5x increase in our efficiency and scalability, significantly improving our predictive accuracy while reducing costs. The mentorship and association with Google provided invaluable guidance, enabling us to refine our models and enhance our operational efficiency through advanced data tools and strategic AI deployment. Demo Day was a fantastic platform to connect with key investors and ecosystem players, opening doors to potential partnerships.” - Jay Sadiq, CEO, FortyGuard
Build the Future of AI with Google! Apply by June 16th
If you're a seed to Series A startup in the MENA-T region building AI-first solutions, the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First MENA-T is your opportunity. Apply by June 16th and join a community of innovators shaping the future of AI together with Google!
