Google has opened applications for the 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator: South Africa, a three-month programme that will provide equity-free funding, technical mentorship and access to the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for 15 South African startups. Applications are open from 21 July to 28 August 2026, with the programme running from 28 September to…
Renew Capital selected 15 African technology startups from more than 500 applicants across 48 countries to advance to the next stage of its inaugural Renew Venture Lab: EmFi Series. The startups were chosen after applicants took part in founder-led training sessions and a pitch competition. Forty-seven companies reached the final pitching stage and received a…
The Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN), one of Europe’s most active early-stage investor networks, has confirmed its partnership with the Pan African AI & Innovation Summit (PAAIS) 2026. This collaboration signals a growing interest from global investors in Africa’s rapidly evolving artificial intelligence ecosystem. As part of the partnership, EstBAN will co-underwrite the Summit’s “Hack-AI-Thon,”…
Cascador deployed more than $5 million into 7 African startups at its second annual pitch day, as the growth-stage founder platform expands funding for companies with social impact. The Africa-focused platform launched its Catalytic Fund last year as a $2 million annual initiative to support alumni companies. Since its founding in 2019, Cascador has supported…
South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) has opened applications for K-Startup Grand Challenge 2026, a government-backed global startup acceleration program providing end-to-end support for international startups (Image: KSGC) South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) has opened applications for the K-Startup Grand Challenge (KSGC), the country’s premier government-backed acceleration program for international…
The Clicks Communicater smartphone on display. Startup Clicks Technology makes a Blackberry phone. Clicks When Apple launched the iPhone in 2007, physical keyboards quickly lost ground to touchscreens and faded from mainstream smartphones. Now, a new wave of startups, including U.K.-based Clicks Technology and Chinese firm Unihertz, is bringing them back and carving out a…
The four selected Nigerian startups focus on leveraging artificial intelligence to bridge gaps in financial inclusion and communications. Google has selected four Nigerian startups, Bani, MasteryHive AI, Regxta, and Termii, among 15 African startups for its 10th Accelerator Africa cohort, from nearly 2,600 applicants across the continent. The company disclosed the cohort’s chosen startups in…
African startups raised $711 million across more than 80 deals in the first quarter of 2026, according to data tracked by TechCabal Insights. About 18% of deals had undisclosed values. The disclosed funding reflects a mix of equity, debt, and grants flowing into the ecosystem during the period. Egypt led funding with $154 million, followed…
Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command operating area. Source: U.S. CENTCOM An Arizona-based battery startup led by a former General Motors executive is moving from making products for all-electric vehicles to making products for the aerospace and defense industries amid the…
Fintech remained the largest recipient of startup investment in Africa in early 2026, but funding data shows investors expanding into logistics, transport and energy. African startups raised $575 million across 58 deals between January and February 2026, according to TechCabal. In January, fintech companies led funding activity with $131.6 million raised. Major funding rounds from…
