Black Founders Fund: Europe
Europe - Hybrid
6 months
Google for Startups Black Founders Fund: Europe provides cash awards — without giving up equity in return — and hands-on support to help Black-led startups in Europe build and grow their businesses.
Europe - Hybrid
6 months
About the initiative
About the initiative
Established in 2020, the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund has awarded more than $30 million to help Black-led startups in Africa, Brazil, Europe, and the United States secure funding, strengthen communities, and create generational change.
In addition to equity-free cash awards, Black Founders Fund recipients receive ongoing Google mentorship, Google Cloud credits, and product support to help them navigate every stage of their startup journey.
Key benefits
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Access to capital
Up to $150,000 in equity-free cash will be awarded to each startup.
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Google Cloud credits and support
Receive Google Cloud credits and dedicated support via the Google for Startups Cloud Program.
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Founder network
Connect and get support from fellow founders as part of the Google for Startups alumni network.
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Custom mentorship
Receive tailored product and leadership support from Google mentors and industry experts.
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Leadership training
Become a more effective leader through research-based strategies and expert coaching.
Entry Criteria
Entry Criteria
- Companies with at least one Black founder in their founding team
- Between pre-seed and Series A
- Seeking to raise an institutional round of funding to develop their next stage of growth
- Building a tech driven scalable product or service with a significant total addressable market and defensible growth model
The fund had a direct influence on our most meaningful impact, which is reducing material waste. A very positive outcome for the environment that wouldn't have been possible to achieve in this timeframe without Google for Startups.
Cofounder of Liquisto
Meet the latest cohort
Frequently asked questions
We believe that funding Black founders empowers entire communities. Access to capital and support leads to greater economic opportunity. Google is uniquely positioned to provide capital and support to help founders grow their businesses, and in turn, create space for founders to succeed and create greater impact for their community. The goal of these funds is to increase economic opportunity for promising Black startup founders. We hope this funding and support can catalyze the growth of Black-led startups, foster innovative solutions to tough problems, and ultimately generate wealth for their communities. Since 2021, Google for Startups has invested $13M in cash funding to founders across Europe and Africa who have gone on to raise $205M in follow-on funding.
The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund provides founders with $150K in non-dilutive capital to help fuel their Black businesses. Recipients will also receive $100K in Google Cloud credits, hands-on mentorship and support across the company.
You apply during the call for applications, please look out for the next one.
We’re looking for startups with an active MVP in the pilot stage or released products. So if your company hasn’t launched a product quite yet, we ask that you are actively testing with at least one potential customer or wait to apply until you’ve reached this milestone.
No, you don’t need to be a Google customer to be eligible for the fund. You will have special access to Google resources as part of the program.
The program is virtual with in-person opportunities taking place throughout the year.
No, the Black Founders Fund is an equity-free investment. That means there is no shareholding or financial counterpart of any kind. Google won’t be part of your startup's corporate structure or have any kind of financial return on the investment.