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Google announces 15 promising startups for Accelerator Africa Class 7

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Tech giant, Google, on Monday announced fifteen participants for its 2022 Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Class 7 with Cote D’Ivoire joining for the first time.

A representative of Google and Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa, Folarin Aiyegbusi made the announcement in a statement made available to newsmen

– “We’re thrilled to be starting off our seventh cohort with such a diverse and inspiring group of companies who are harnessing technology to tackle the problems that many people on the continent face every day”.

The class, which was selected from thousands of applications, with final selection based on product stage, programme alignment and market fit is aimed at lifting African companies who are committed to providing tech solutions to challenges, particularly problems that are peculiar to Africa.

“Startups in Africa are solving some of the region’s most pressing issues -from employment to logistics, banking, healthcare, and education. This is a journey that we’re happy to be on.”

The Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme has supported 82 startups from 17 African countries over the past four years. Collectively, they have raised $112 million and created 2800 direct jobs. In this time, Google has invested $5 million through a combination of equity free funding and product credits for Google services.

“Google is committed to Africa’s growing startup and developer ecosystem,” adds Aiyegbusi.

“Providing end-to-end support and investment to startups pays off for everyone in the long run. As these startups grow, they advance their local economies, create jobs and opportunities, and provide solutions in their communities. A stronger African economy is great for everyone, and Google is committed to helping African businesses thrive,” he concludes.

One of the selected participants, Zita Agwunobi, CEO of iVerify.ng, expressed enthusiasm towards highly coveted opportunity and thanked the tech giant for “validating our dream”

“As a digital identity onboarding platform based in Nigeria, iVerify.ng is extremely delighted to have been selected for Class 7 of Google for Startups Accelerator Africa amidst our need to deploy more robust technology infrastructure and scale our operations across Africa. We’re looking forward to the workshops, mentoring and inestimable value we’ve heard so much about” Zita Agwunobi added

Another selected Start-up, Balqis  Chepkwony CEO of Kenyan Fleetsimplify says: “Fleetsimplify is thrilled to have been selected for the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa! We’re looking forward to working with the Google team to bring sustainable shared mobility solutions in Africa.”

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Egyptian AI-powered ed-tech startup Sprints raises $3m to scale up platform

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Egyptian AI-powered ed-tech startup, Sprints, has announced raising $3 million bridge round of funding to help it scale up its platform with the aim of “redefining education for the future”.

Co-founder and CEO of Sprints, Ayman Bazaraa, who made the announcement on Thursday, said the platform which is on a “mission to educate one billion learners in 10 years” raised the $3 million bridge round of funding led by Disruptech Ventures with investments from EdVentures and CFYE, among others.

“Our team is the beating heart of this success. We’re a proud force of passionate trailblazers, consisting of over 100 employees and 300 trainers from 12 countries, united by a single mission, to revolutionise education through AI,” said Bazaraa

“This investment is a resounding validation of the team’s tireless efforts and unwavering dedication.

“Today, I stand proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished, and brimming with anticipation for the future we will pave together,” Bazaraa added.

Founded in 2020 by Bazaraa and Bassam Sharkawy, Sprints is the first end-to-end platform in the MENA region to bridge the tech talent gap, spanning talent assessment, customised learning journeys, and top-paying job guarantee.

The startup delivers world-class, agile-based learning journeys that empower organisations to build top-notch tech teams in all tracks, including AI, data science, mobile, web, IoT, cloud computing and cybersecurity, according to a citation on its website.

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Radisson Group targets 25 hotels in Morocco by 2030

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The Radisson Hotel Group says it has set a goal of setting up 25 hotels in Morocco, which will expand its current portfolio of 11 hotels in operation to 36 by 2030.

Erwan Garnier, Senior Director, Development, Africa at Radisson Hotel Group, who disclosed this in a statement, saidMorocco continues to be a crucial market for the group’s development, while also accelerating its expansion in the country which is part of its vision of redefining the group’s expansion strategy for the country.

“I am delighted to lead our expansion efforts in Morocco and take them to new heights. Leveraging our success in the country thus far, our expansion strategy will concentrate on targeting the major cities in Morocco,” Garnier said.

“Our focus will be on strengthening our presence in Casablanca and Marrakech, where we currently operate the conveniently located Radisson Blu Hotel, Casablanca City Center and the highly acclaimed Radisson Blu Hotel, Marrakech Carré Eden.

“Additionally, we plan to establish our presence in the key cities of Rabat, Tangier, Agadir, and Fez.

“In light of Radisson Hotel Group’s strategic 5-year plan and the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Morocco, we have identified significant potential within these cities to establish a diverse portfolio consisting of ideally located business hotels, efficient serviced apartments, premium mixed-use projects, and expanding our portfolio of exceptional resorts.

“The introduction of the Radisson brand with the imminent opening of the Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle in the vibrant Gauthier district of Casablanca, marks a notable development.

“This new establishment will be the flagship of the Radisson brand in Morocco, marking the entry of a new brand for the group in the country and underlining our commitment to quality and diversified expansion,” he added.

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