Call for applications: Google for Startups Founders Funds

Established in 2020, the initiative has provided more than $30m to support black-led startups in Africa, Brazil, Europe and the US, and Latino-led startups in the US. The funds, which have supported more than 400 founders, who have gone on to raise more than $400m in follow-on venture capital, aim to help promising founders grow their businesses and ultimately, create generational wealth.

In addition to equity-free cash awards, Founders Funds recipients receive ongoing Google mentorship, Google Cloud credits and product support to help them navigate every stage of their startup journey.

The deadline for applications is 26 March.

Startup criteria

• Diverse companies with at least one black founder or latino founder (for the respective funds) on their founding team.
• Between Pre-seed and Series A.
• Scalable product or service with a significant total addressable market and defensible growth model.
• Ready to go global.

Benefits

• Access to capital.
• Equity-free cash awards to help build and grow business.
• Custom mentorship.
• Tailored product and leadership support from Google mentors and industry experts.
• Leadership training.
• Research-based strategy and expert coaching.
• Founder network.
• Opportunity to connect and learn from fellow founders and access a peer-to-peer support network.
• Google Cloud credits and dedicated support via the Google for Startups Cloud programme.

Programme highlights

• Non-dilutive (equity-free) cash awards of up to $150 000 per startup.
• Up to $200 000 in Cloud Credits.
• Access to a network of mentors to help tackle each startup’s unique challenges.

More information about how to apply is available here.