Google selects 15 South African startups for 2026 AI accelerator
Google selects 15 South African startups for 2026 AI accelerator. Google has selected 15 South African startups for its 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator, giving the companies access to artificial intelligence tools, mentorship and up to R1 million in equity-free funding.
The startups were selected from 1,057 applications for the three-month programme, which is running for the third year in South Africa. The 2026 cohort includes businesses applying AI across sectors including education, financial services, legal services, healthcare, mobility, retail and supply chains.
Among the selected companies are Ambani Africa, which uses technology to support children learning African languages, and Buddy Learning, an AI tutor delivered through WhatsApp and designed for low-data connections.
The cohort also includes Boleka Africa, a financial services provider for underbanked adults; Kasicoach, an AI mentorship platform for township and rural youth; and Zumii, a WhatsApp-based service that sources and delivers school stationery to parents.
Other participating startups are Anvaya Legal AI, Daedalis, Dataseka, Fly n Pay Later, Muna Africa, Propela Health, Scale, Thuto and Tradeflow.
As part of the accelerator, each company will receive access to Google’s cloud infrastructure and AI models, including Gemini. Founders will also receive one-on-one mentorship from Google engineers and industry experts.
The programme provides up to R1 million in equity-free funding, with Google taking neither equity nor a programme fee from participating startups.
Running from 28 September to 4 December, the accelerator combines remote sessions with in-person activities. It will conclude with a Demo Day, where participating founders will present their businesses to investors and partners.
Kabelo Makwane, country director of Google South Africa, said the programme is intended to support local founders developing products for the South African market.
Google said its wider Africa accelerator has supported more than 190 startups across 17 African countries since 2018. Collectively, these companies have raised more than $400 million and created more than 3,500 jobs.
