To encourage youth participation in climate change solutions and popularize clean technology in the Middle East and Africa (MENA), Google announced a ten-week, hybrid program for Seed to Series A startups tackling climate change with technology. 

The program will provide group learning sessions, and mentors from Google, who will guide them in-person and online, and will hold workshops on product design, business growth, and leadership development. 

Selected startups will benefit from Google Cloud technical expertise and receive credits via the Google for Startups Cloud Program. The support will be tailored to the needs of the startups’ businesses. 

Startups focusing on sustainable technology climate solutions, cleantech, and green energy demonstrating traction between Seed and Series A stage, with a scalable product or service and clear growth model, can apply for the program. The startups must be technical and leverage technologies like Machine Learning and AI. 

Joyce Baz, Head of Communications at Google, said that as more organizations navigate sustainability-driven business transformations, the techno-giant is looking for new tools to help them. 

“We believe the global startup ecosystem plays a pivotal role in accelerating their progress, which is why we’re excited to kick off 2023 with Google for Startups Accelerator: Climate Change programs and encourage startups in the Middle East and Africa to apply. These programs will focus on identifying, supporting, and scaling startups that are building technologies to combat climate change,” he said. 

This is the first time Google is running the program in MENA to use technology to unblock and accelerate the decarbonization of the economy. 

Along with being paired with specialized Startup Success Managers (SSM) from Google, participants will receive further training on using its best practices, tools, and personnel. 

The startups will continue to receive support via the Google for Startups Accelerator Alumni program and network even after the program ends.