Google Hustle Academy lists 15 businesses for N75 million Google’s Hustle Academy SMB fund

Google Hustle Academy has graduated 5,300 Small and Medium Businesses across Africa. These businesses participated in the academy training in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

Over 2000 of the 5,30Google Hustle Academy has graduated 5,300 Small and Medium Businesses across Africa. These businesses participated in the academy training in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

Over 2000 of the 5,300 beneficiaries graduated from Nigeria.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Country Director for Google West Africa, Mr. Olumide Balogun, said the “The Google Hustle Academy programme,is designed to address specific challenges faced by SMBs in Africa”

highlighting the continued impact of the programme, Mr. Balogun mentioned that over 10,300 entrepreneurs have participated since its inception in 2022.

The program offers practical skills and resources to help these businesses grow.

He also celebrated the growth of the community, comparing the 5300 graduates of this year with the 5000 participants last year.

“This year’s graduation adds to the momentum gained from last year’s 5,000 graduates, reflecting a growing community of businesses engaged in continuous learning and improvement.’ He added

15 of the 2000 Nigerian participants got shortlisted to benefit from the N75 million Google’s Hustle Academy SMB fund which was set aside for the Nigerian market.

“Alongside the graduation, 15 SMBs have been chosen to receive support from the N75 million Hustle Academy Fund.” Mr. Balogun said.

According to him, “ the aim is to provide a combination of financial assistance, mentorship, and business tool access to some of the most promising Nigerian SMBs.

Mr. Femi Bolaji, Founder of Wauley Projects Limited, was one of the beneficiaries of the fund.

He said: “The Hustle Academy has equipped us with vital business knowledge, and being selected for the fund is a significant boost that will propel our business forward.”

The recipients represent various industries from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria,

The Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, promised to engage the over 2,000 Nigerian. beneficiaries.

He said he would license them as Business Development Service Providers that would work with SMEDAN to onboard SMBs across Nigeria

Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President of Nigeria on Job Creation, Mr. Tola Adekunle-Johnson, also promised to directly employ one of the beneficiaries for a period of one year.

Celebrating the passion and drive of the SME s, Mr. Balogun said;

‘The passion and resilience shown by these SMBs are truly inspiring. The Hustle Academy is a testament to what focused training and resources can achieve.”

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