Lengo makes first cohort of Google’s Africa AI accelerator

BREAKING NEWSOctober 6, 2023 at 11:46 AM UTC

Senegal-based artificial intelligence (AI) startup Lengo, a Daba portfolio company, has been selected as part of the first cohort of the ‘Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First’ program. Founded in 2021, Lengo is an AI platform offering an extensive database and insights on consumer goods for companies in Africa's Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector.

The Google AI program is a 10-week equity-free accelerator for Seed to Series A startups based in Africa or building Africa-centered solutions with technology, designed specifically for startups leveraging AI and Machine Learning from any vertical.

Through its novel unified investment platform, Daba Finance, a startup that enables investing in Africa’s best private and public companies seamlessly, facilitated institutional and retail investment in Lengo’s recently closed pre-seed round announced this week.

Key Takeaways

AI has the potential to be transformative in Africa and could add as much as $1.3 trillion to the continent’s gross domestic product by 2030, according to McKinsey. That underscores the importance of initiatives like Google in supporting the startups working to ensure Africa does not miss out on the gains of AI. A total of 11 startups across Africa were selected from a vast pool of innovative talent, using cutting-edge AI to address Africa’s challenges and broader global issues. Selected startups in the first cohort will benefit from Google’s AI expertise and a $350,000 allocation in Google Cloud Credits and also undergo mentorship sessions, technical guidance, and networking opportunities to enhance their reach and impact.