Applications are open for the 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator South Africa

Applications are open for the 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator South Africa

We are backing 15 growth-stage, AI-driven startups with R1 million in non-dilutive funding, Google's AI tools, and mentorship to help them strengthen products and enhance their technical capabilities in SA.

Communications & Public Affairs Manager

Imagine what a R1 million cash injection, Google mentors on call, and three months of experience can do for a growth-stage startup..

Applications are now open for the 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator South Africa. We are backing 15 growth-stage, AI-driven startups with non-dilutive funding, Google's AI tools, cloud infrastructure and models, helping them strengthen their products and enhance their technical capabilities.

It turns into action the announcement James Manyika, Senior Vice-President of Research, Labs, Technology and Society, set out at the Google Cloud Summit in Johannesburg, and forms part of our plan to support 50 South African startups between 2024 and 2028.

Since its launch in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has supported over 190 startups across 17 African countries. Together they have raised more than $400 million (about R4.3 billion) and created over 3,500 jobs, backed by $5 million in equity-free funding and product credits from Google.

“We’re backing South Africans building for South Africa, because they read this market better than anyone,” Madikane says. “When these companies grow, they hire here, and they prove that AI built on the continent can compete anywhere.”

Applications close on 28 August 2026. If you’re building something worth backing, we want to hear from you. Apply at https://startup.google.com/programs/accelerator/south-africa/