Google for Startups announced the launch of its second
accelerator program, “AI First,” targeting startups in the Middle East, North
Africa, and Turkey (MENA+Turkey). The 12-week, equity-free program is designed
to support promising startups from seed to Series A stages that leverage
artificial intelligence, providing them with infrastructure, tools, and
expertise to accelerate growth and success.
The MENA region and Turkey are rapidly emerging as key
hubs for AI innovation, driving transformative changes across sectors. PwC
estimates AI will contribute $15.7 trillion globally to the economy by 2030,
with McKinsey projecting $150 billion just for the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) countries. Regional AI investments have surged, doubling their share of
total startup funding year-over-year between 2023 and 2024, according to Wamda.
PwC also forecasts the region will generate $320 billion, about 2% of global AI
benefits, by 2030.
Abdulrahman Alzheiban, Google Cloud’s General Manager
for MENA and Turkey, highlighted the significant momentum AI development is
gaining in the region, and Google Cloud’s commitment to providing scalable
platforms for AI innovation. He emphasized the program’s goal of equipping
leading startups with cloud infrastructure and expertise to optimize AI
workloads and accelerate growth.
Anthony Naccache, Google’s General Manager for MENA,
stressed the program’s role in offering targeted support to innovative
startups, helping them access Google’s resources to solve complex challenges
and scale impactful AI solutions worldwide.
Selected startups will receive Google Cloud credits,
technical mentoring from Google Cloud engineers, and workshops covering AI,
machine learning, data analytics, serverless computing, product strategy,
business growth, and leadership development. The program also offers broad
networking opportunities with investors, partners, and industry leaders.
Google encourages eligible AI-driven startups in MENA
and Turkey at seed to Series A stages to apply by June 16, 2025, for the “AI
First” accelerator.
