Google Developers Launchpad Accelerator

Google Developers Launchpad Accelerator is Google's comprehensive mentorship and acceleration program designed to support technology startups across Africa. Launched in 2018 following a commitment by Google CEO Sundar Pichai to empower African entrepreneurs, the program provides hands-on support, resources, and expertise to help early-stage companies scale their operations and impact. The accelerator focuses on seed-stage and early-growth companies operating in Africa, with particular emphasis on the Nigerian fintech sector. Between 2016 and 2017, the program invested $150,000 across four funding rounds, backing three Nigerian fintech companies: Carbon, Send App, and Paystack. These investments supported companies building critical financial infrastructure, including instant lending platforms, international money transfer services, and payment processing solutions. The program operates as a three-month hybrid accelerator, accepting 10-15 startups per cohort and providing equity-free support, access to Google engineers and mentors, working space, travel assistance, and PR backing. Since its inception, the program has supported 47 startups from 17 African countries, helping them collectively raise millions in subsequent investment and create hundreds of jobs. The accelerator operates from the Google Developers Space in Lagos, Nigeria, serving as a hub for African developers, entrepreneurs, and investors to connect and collaborate.