Google: Start-ups pitch to top UK/African Venture Capitalists

Google’s first Start-ups Week in Lagos saw its Launchpad Accelerator Africa graduates, from across Africa, pitch for funding from some African and UK top Venture Capitalists (VCs).

The event also saw Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa Class four graduating from the program as part of the Google Startup Week activities. Class four comprises 12 startups from six countries, addressing six different sectors. Participants from all 4 classes also got a chance to meet, engage with each other, and share their experiences for the first time.

Select alumni from classes 1 – 3 are fresh out of a three-month Google for Startups UK Africa Immersion Programme in London, which is a 12-week immersion programme 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.

Having completed their London Immersion, Launchpad Accelerator Africa Class 1 – 3 alumni met with investors from the UK and Africa during the Google Startup Week to pitch for funding to take their businesses further.

In partnership with Launchpad Accelerator Africa, the program 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 programme’s head of Startup success and services, Fola Olatunji-David, said, “We believe Africans can solve Africa’s problems. In running Launchpad Accelerator Africa, we specifically look to work with startups that share this vision. Launchpad Class four is tackling some of Africa’s most pressing challenges, including access to financial services, education, and agriculture.”

He noted that since Launchpad Accelerator Africa was first announced in late 2017, the programme has worked with 47 startups on their growth journey. These companies he also said have raised millions of dollars in investments, and created hundreds of jobs across the continent.