Google has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its Google for Startups Accelerator South Africa. The three-month hybrid programme aims to help startups improve their products and technical capabilities by providing access to Google’s AI tools, Cloud infrastructure, mentorship and strategic support.
The accelerator will prioritise South African-led, historically disadvantaged person (HDP)-owned or controlled startups that have already developed functional AI-driven products addressing local market challenges. Since launching the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa in 2018, Google says it has supported more than 190 startups across 17 African countries, helping them collectively raise over US$400 million and create more than 3,500 jobs.
“We’re backing South Africans building for South Africa, because they read this market better than anyone,” said Siya Madikane, Communications & Public Affairs Manager at Google South Africa. Also Read : Google Opens Applications for Africa Applied AI Lab
