Deadline: August 31, 2026
The Google Africa Applied AI Lab is a new initiative designed to support African AI founders and researchers in transforming innovative ideas into market-ready AI solutions that address real-world challenges across the continent.
The program focuses on developing AI products and services that address uniquely African challenges through five key thematic areas: the future of work, knowledge, software development, creativity, and entertainment. It serves as a commercialization platform that connects world-class AI research with practical products while supporting innovation across these priority sectors.
The Google Africa Applied AI Lab is based at the Accra AI Community Centre (AICC) in Ghana and welcomes founders from across Africa who are interested in applying advanced artificial intelligence to solve pressing challenges. The initiative provides an opportunity for selected participants to collaborate directly with Google experts in developing AI-powered products and services.
Participants receive early access to advanced Google DeepMind AI models, including Gemini, Gemma, and Veo, enabling them to experiment with commercial applications before these models become widely available. In addition to technical resources, teams receive hands-on mentorship from Google Research and other Google teams, along with go-to-market support from experienced venture capital partners.
The program concludes with an in-person product demo day at the Accra AI Community Centre in Ghana, where participating startups present the outcomes of their work to Googlers, investors, and partners. This event also provides opportunities for selected startups to receive potential funding and additional support from the Google AI Futures Fund and participating venture capital firms.
Participation in the program does not require founders to give up equity or ownership in their companies. However, eligible teams may be considered for investment opportunities by the Google AI Futures Fund or partner venture capital firms based on their progress and business potential.
The program is open to full-time founders and leading researchers who aspire to build AI-driven startups with meaningful impact across Africa. While preference is given to startups that have already secured funding and demonstrated commercial traction, applications are also welcomed from founders and researchers with strong ideas and well-developed plans for building innovative AI solutions.
For more information, visit Google.
