About the Google Africa Applied AI Lab
01What's the Google Africa Applied AI Lab?
Based at the Accra AI Community Centre (AICC) in Ghana, the Google Africa Applied AI Lab supports founders from across the continent interested in using the latest AI research to address real-world, uniquely African challenges - and, in turn, build Africa's first generation of AI-native unicorn startups. The initiative serves as a zero-to-one commercialization platform, bridging the gap between world-class foundational research and market-ready products. It pairs an elite cohort of African founders and researchers directly with Google experts, jointly building AI solutions. The program will culminate in a demo day, where startups will present their work from their time in the program to Googlers, top investors, and partners, where they will have the opportunity to receive potential funding and further support.
02What areas does it focus on?
The Google Africa Applied AI Lab focuses on joint development of AI products and services meant to address critical gaps and challenges across the continent. Rapid prototyping will occur across five distinct technological futures, all of which will reshape Africa in the coming years: the future of work, knowledge, software development, creativity, and entertainment.
03What do selected startups receive?
Selected startups will receive early access to cutting-edge models from Google DeepMind (such as Gemini, Gemma, and Veo) to experiment with commercial use cases, before the models are released to the general market. Additionally, teams receive hands-on technical mentorship and go-to-market support from Google Research, other Google teams globally, and VCs including 4DX Ventures, Norrsken22, Novastar Ventures, and Ventures Platform. Some participants may also be eligible for funding from Google AI Futures Fund and these leading VCs.
04What commitments do I have to make?
In addition to using Google AI in some material way, we ask that startups commit to participating in an in-person product demo day in early December at the Accra AI Community Centre in Ghana. Applied AI programming will be highly customized to the needs of the startup and their stage of development, so terms will differ from team to team. Teams are not giving up equity or ownership stake by simply participating in the program, though they may be approached with opportunities by Google AI Futures Fund or our VC partners.
05Who is eligible to apply?
We’re looking for current full-time founders and/or top researchers who are looking to become startup founders. We’re seeking applicants with big ideas that drive impact in Africa across our thematic areas: the future of work, knowledge, software development, creativity, and entertainment. While preference is given to startups with funding and commercial traction (pre-seed to series A), we consider all founders and researchers with great ideas and a strong plan for how to build them.
06How are the VC firms involved?
We’ve partnered with 4DX Ventures, Norrsken22, Novastar Ventures, and Ventures Platform along with Google AI Futures Fund to provide selected teams at the Google Africa Applied AI Lab an opportunity to receive mentorship, guidance, and potential funding from these leading VCs.
07When do applications open and close?
Applications open on July 1, 2026, and close on August 31, 2026.
08Is there a program? How long is it?
Yes. The initial co-development period runs from mid-September to early December, culminating in a product demo day at the Accra AI Community Centre in Ghana. The joint development process will be tailored to each individual startup's needs, providing support such as technical advisory and mentorship. While the formal co-development period concludes following the demo day at AICC, there is no commitment for startups to be in-person at the AICC throughout the co-development period. However, the Google Africa Applied AI Lab will remain a place for entrepreneurs, founders, and researchers to receive support on an ongoing basis.
09Does my product need to use Google AI?
Yes. We understand that companies and teams use a variety of models, but we are seeking teams that will use Google’s AI models in a materially impactful way. This is not an exclusivity requirement, however. Teams are welcome to use other models and tools in addition to Google’s AI technologies.
10How mature does my company need to be?
All researchers and founders with a startup idea are eligible to apply (Pre-Seed to Series C+). While commercial traction is a strong data point of startup success, we are open to all startups with a clear idea that generates high impact using Google AI.
11Do I need a co-founder or team?
While not required, we do evaluate team composition and completeness as part of the application process.
12How technical do I need to be?
While it is not required to be technical or an expert in Google AI, we evaluate technical proficiency as part of the application process, especially with regard to the expertise and experience required to drive successful outcomes with AI tools. Ultimately, we are seeking teams that we are confident will be successful in building their vision.
13What happens after I apply?
Our teams will review your application and evaluate it against a series of criteria tied to our investment focus areas. We may reach out to you for additional information as we make our final selection decisions.
14When will I find out if I’m selected?
We will begin notifying selected applicants in September.
15Do I get feedback if I’m not selected?
We will notify you if you were not selected. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide feedback to all applicants.
16What is the Accra AI Community Centre?
The Accra AI Community Centre is a pioneering hub dedicated to cultivating a thriving AI ecosystem, accelerating innovation and inclusive growth in Africa’s AI landscape. Based in Accra, Ghana, the AICC provides a complimentary collaborative space and tech hub support to bridge the AI skills divide and foster responsible innovation.
17What is the Google AI Futures Fund?
The Google AI Futures Fund (AIFF) backs those building what’s next in AI, accelerating the almost possible. Through capital, distribution, and early access to Google DeepMind models, AIFF braves the frontier with global partners who disregard the impossible. As patrons for the new architects of creativity and code, AIFF funds the catalysts charting the course into a boundless future.