Google Launches AI First Program for MENA-T Startups
Google has announced the launch of its second 'Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First program. The initiative targets startups in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkiye (MENA-T).
This 12-week, equity-free accelerator supports Seed to Series A startups. It aims to help those using artificial intelligence to scale and succeed.
The program offers selected startups access to essential infrastructure, tools, and expertise. Google Cloud will provide AI-specific support to help participants grow.
The MENA-T region is quickly becoming a major hub for AI innovation. PwC estimates AI could contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. McKinsey projects up to $150 billion of that could come from the GCC.
Regional AI investment is also rising. According to Wamda, its share of total startup funding more than doubled from 2023 to 2024. PwC further reported that MENA-T could gain $320 billion, or 2% of global AI benefits, by 2030.
Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban, Managing Director of MENA-T, Google Cloud, revealed that the region's AI momentum presents a major opportunity. He said Google Cloud is committed to offering a scalable platform for innovation.
He added that the goal is to help startups optimize AI workloads and accelerate growth.
Anthony Nakache, Managing Director of Google MENA, stated the program offers targeted support. He said it helps startups access Google's top resources to solve complex challenges.
Startups accepted into the program will receive: Google Cloud credits to develop and deploy AI solutions
Expert mentorship from Google Cloud engineers and architects
In addition, the program will include AI-focused workshops. Topics will cover machine learning, data analytics, serverless computing, and go-to-market strategies. Leadership and business growth sessions will also be provided.
Participants will also get networking access to investors, partners, and industry leaders.
Google has encouraged eligible startups to apply for the AI First program by June 16, 2025. Applications are open on the Google for Startups website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tahawul Tech
an hour ago
- Tahawul Tech
Australian court calls out Apple and Google misuse of market power
An Australian federal court has ruled that Apple and Google previously misused their market power by limiting the use of alternative app distribution and payment methods in their app stores, handing a major victory to Epic Games. In a post on X, Epic, the creator of Fortnite which filed cases back in 2020 and 2021, said the court found Apple and Google 'abuse their control over app distribution and in-app payments to limit competition'. The company added this 'is a win for developers and consumers in Australia'. In a summary of the ruling, law firm Gilbert and Tobin explained the court found the companies' practices, dating back to 2017, breached the country's competition and consumer act, adding Apple and Google had caused developers to pay materially higher commissions. The law company noted the decision is the first contested case of the country's new misuse of market power law introduced in 2017 and 'grapples with the issues of walled gardens'. In the case of the app distribution and in-app payment markets, the court ruled both companies engaged in conduct that had 'the purpose, effect or likely effect' of substantially lessening competition. The court, however, did not accept Epic's other anti-competitive claims covering exclusive dealings, anti-competitive agreements or unconscionable conduct allegations by Apple and Google in the OS licensing market to OEMs. The companies have 28 days to appeal the decision. Source: Mobile World Live Image Credit: Stock Image
Arabian Post
3 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Lumen Technologies Surpasses 1,000 Customers with NaaS Growth
Lumen Technologies has surpassed a significant milestone by crossing the 1,000-customer mark on its expanding Network-as-a-Service platform. This achievement underscores the growing demand for flexible, scalable enterprise connectivity solutions as businesses accelerate their digital transformations. NaaS, which enables organisations to streamline and scale their network infrastructure without the need for heavy investments in hardware, has become an essential offering in today's fast-evolving technology landscape. The milestone reflects the increasing shift toward software-defined networking and cloud-based solutions, driven by the need for agility in business operations. Lumen's NaaS platform offers an array of services, including secure, high-performance connectivity, cloud networking, and edge computing capabilities. It has become increasingly attractive for enterprises looking to enhance their network infrastructure while lowering operational costs and improving scalability. Lumen's success with its NaaS offering comes at a time when businesses across various sectors are accelerating their adoption of AI and data-driven operations. With AI continuing to reshape industries, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, companies are turning to services like NaaS to meet the demand for high-speed, secure, and adaptive connectivity. ADVERTISEMENT One of the primary reasons behind NaaS's rise is the flexibility it offers compared to traditional network models. Unlike conventional networking solutions, which often require upfront capital expenditure for hardware and lengthy setup times, NaaS allows businesses to pay for what they use, thereby optimising costs. This pay-as-you-go model appeals to organisations seeking to streamline their IT operations while remaining agile in an increasingly competitive market. Several prominent players have already embraced Lumen's NaaS platform. The company has built a strong base in sectors such as finance, telecommunications, and cloud computing, where reliable, scalable connectivity is a key business enabler. Notably, Lumen's partnership with top technology providers has strengthened its position in the competitive NaaS space, offering integrations with major cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. The broader trend of businesses embracing NaaS reflects a shift in IT decision-making, with more companies opting for managed services over traditional on-premises hardware. As organisations migrate more workloads to the cloud, the need for on-demand, high-performance network services becomes critical. In fact, Lumen's NaaS platform is designed to support this cloud-centric model by providing a seamless, flexible network experience across global regions. AI's increasing role in shaping network management capabilities is another factor accelerating NaaS adoption. Lumen has incorporated artificial intelligence into its platform, allowing businesses to automate network functions, optimise traffic routing, and predict and prevent potential disruptions before they occur. This combination of NaaS and AI-driven automation provides businesses with the tools needed to maintain optimal network performance without extensive manual oversight. The global shift toward hybrid and multi-cloud environments is also contributing to NaaS growth. As businesses diversify their cloud infrastructure, the demand for highly flexible network solutions that can support multiple cloud platforms has surged. Lumen's NaaS offering is built with these hybrid architectures in mind, enabling companies to link different cloud environments seamlessly while maintaining control over their network performance and security.
Zawya
20 hours ago
- Zawya
Google introduces initiative to equip 1,000 Nigerian developers
Google on Wednesday announced a new initiative, 'Build with AI'' in partnership with GOMYCODE to equip 1,000 Nigerian developers with critical Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills. John Kimani, Head of Developer Ecosystem for Google in Sub-Saharan Africa, said in a statement that it was a significant move to accelerate Nigeria's participation in the global AI economy. Kimani said that the initiative was inaugurated to foster a new generation of tech talent capable of building transformative products that are both locally relevant and globally competitive. He said that the initiative came at a pivotal moment, as industries across Nigeria and Africa increasingly look to technology to solve pressing challenges and drive economic growth. According to him, by providing access to advanced AI tools such as Gemini and a curriculum with oversight from Google's experts, the programme is set to bridge the gap between raw talent and the specialised skills required to innovate in the AI era. The Google spokesperson said that this strategic focus was intended to accelerate the development of solutions in key sectors such as fintech, healthtech, and agritech, positioning Nigerian developers at the forefront of the continent's digital transformation. 'We are witnessing a technological renaissance in Nigeria, driven by a vibrant community of developers who are eager to solve the challenges around them. 'Our collaboration with GOMYCODE is about more than just training; it's about empowering this community with the tools and expertise they need to build the future,'' he said. Kimani noted that by equipping developers with Google's Generative AI, it was helping to unlock a new frontier of innovation that could deliver significant economic and social impact across the continent. He said that the 11-week programme would be delivered through GOMYCODE's extensive network of hacker spaces, combining in-person instruction with hands-on, mentored lab work. 'This approach ensures that the training is both accessible and practical, allowing developers to immediately apply their learning to real-world projects,'' he said. The Country Director for GOMYCODE, Mr Babatunde Olaifa, said that GOMYCODE's role was to provide the critical infrastructure and local expertise needed to nurture Nigeria's tech talent. Olaifa said that partnering with Google allowed it to bring world-class curriculum and technology directly to the developer community. 'We are creating an environment where innovation can thrive, and we are incredibly excited to see the solutions that will emerge from this programme built by Nigerians, for Nigeria and the world,' the GOMYCODE boss said. He said that the 'Build with AI' programme was now accepting applications from developers across Nigeria. According to him, the initiative will culminate in a demo day where top participants will showcase their AI-powered solutions to a team from Google and other industry leaders. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
