Google announced the opening of applications for the 2024 edition of Hustle Academy, a bootcamp designed to enable the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
The programme was relaunched this year with a particular focus on business-focused AI training that will be directly integrated into the curriculum.
“Artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense potential for African small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), enabling them to drive innovation, increase efficiency, and unlock new levels of economic growth, stated Kristy Grant, Google’s Head of B2B Marketing in SSA.
“The Hustle Academy has supported over 10,000 businesses who have gone ahead to raise funding and create jobs since inception. By incorporating AI into our curriculum, we aim to further amplify this impact, equipping SMBs to harness AI technologies for improved business performance and economic progress,” he adds.
The Google Hustle Academy aims to address the funding gap that African SMEs in comparison to other regions by providing comprehensive business education, mentorship and networking opportunities.
The new AI modules will focus on:
- Make Data-Driven Decisions: Gaining insights from data to make informed choices that propel your business forward.
- Optimize Operations: Streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency using cutting-edge AI solutions.
- Develop AI-Powered Marketing Strategies: Implementing AI-driven marketing tactics to reach new audiences and achieve your business goals.
The Hustle Academy was first launched in 2022 and has benefitted over 10,000 businesses across the region. According to Google, the bootcamp’s participants who received grants have been able to nearly double their success rate in accessing new sources of funding.
Applications for the 2024 cohort are still open to SME owners in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa via g.co/hustleacademy. The programme is set to run till the end of the year.
