Google has announced the opening of applications for its 2024 Hustle Academy cohort, a program specifically tailored to accelerate the growth of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Sub-Saharan Africa. This year, the program boasts a significant enhancement: the integration of business-focused AI training into its curriculum.
Since its inception in 2022, the Google Hustle Academy has supported over 10,000 businesses, providing them with comprehensive business education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Notably, the Academy has seen participants who received grants nearly double their success rate in accessing new funding sources beyond friends and family, from 11% to 20%. Additionally, the program has catalyzed job creation, with graduates generating an average of four new jobs for every ten businesses.
Kristy Grant, Head of B2B Marketing for SSA, highlighted the transformative impact of AI on African SMBs, stating, “Artificial intelligence holds immense potential, enabling SMBs to drive innovation, increase efficiency, and unlock new levels of economic growth. 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.”
The newly introduced AI modules will focus on enabling data-driven decisions, optimizing operations, and building AI-powered marketing strategies. Participants will delve into practical applications through modules such as “Boost Your Productivity with AI” and “Marketing Strategy and AI,” which are designed to help them save time and enhance their digital marketing efforts.
The 2024 Hustle Academy is open to SMBs in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, and the program will run through the end of the year. Applications are now open for businesses eager to harness the power of AI to scale their operations and achieve sustainable growth.
