Applications are now open for the 2026 Google Africa Applied AI Lab. Google Africa Applied AI Lab is an initiative to collaborate with and support African founders, researchers, and entrepreneurs interested in building next-gen AI products. Founders receive early access to the latest Google AI models and collaborate with Google experts to build AI-native solutions across work, knowledge, creativity, entertainment, and software development.
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.
WORTH
- 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.
ELIGIBILITY
- The program is looking for current full-time founders and/or top researchers who are looking to become startup founders.
- The program is seeking applicants with big ideas that drive impact in Africa across the 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), the program consider all founders and researchers with great ideas and a strong plan for how to build them.
Program Details
- 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.
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026
To apply and for more information, visit here