Google Expands Startup Accelerator to Morocco and MENA Region

"The American technology giant Google has extended its startup accelerator program to include technology startups from countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Algeria," the U.S. Embassy in Algeria said in a Facebook post.

According to the embassy’s details, Google will select 10 to 15 startups from the region to offer three months of virtual training and mentoring, starting in January 2021. The company offers startup acceleration programs for underrepresented groups such as women-founded or black-founded startups, as well as for geographic regions around the world.

The deadline for startup applications is set for December 31. Eligibility requirements are: being a startup based in the Middle East and North Africa, having already raised seed funding. Applications from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Palestine, United Arab Emirates and Yemen will be accepted, Google says on its website.

"The Accelerator program is designed to bring the best of Google’s programs, products, people and technologies to the founder communities in the region. In addition to mentorship and technical project support, the accelerator also includes deep dives and workshops focused on machine learning, product design, customer acquisition and leadership development," the American giant said.