Key takeaways
- Google India has reopened applications for its Launchpad Accelerator aimed at AI and ML startups.
- The programme offers mentorship and resources to help startups tackle challenges specific to India's needs.
- Selected startups will receive Google Cloud assets and participate in a boot-camp in Bengaluru.
- The application deadline is January 31, 2019, with shortlisted startups announced in February.
Reemphasising its assurance to the Indian startup ecosystem, Google opened applications for the next class of its Launchpad Accelerator India chapter on Wednesday, inviting startups that are using AI/ ML to solve for India’s requirements.
The Launchpad Accelerator mentorship programme for start-ups using Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML)India chapter is scheduled to commence in March 2019. The last date for application to the programme is January 31, 2019, and The shortlisted start-ups for the second batch will be announced in February 2019 and will receive Google Cloud assets from $20,000 - going up to $100,000 each. The selected start-ups will attend the boot-camp in Bengaluru in March and there will be follow-up appointments over April and May to help approach their distinct challenges, Google said.
The Launchpad Accelerator programme empowers, startups, that are applying AI/ML to solve for India’s requirements, experience an intensive in-person mentorship boot-camp, followed by customized support for three months. The selected startups for class-II will be announced in February 2019, and the program will begin in March 2019. The shortlisted startups will attend the boot-camp in Bangalore in March and there will be follow-up engagements over April and May to help address their specific challenges.
The 10 startups from the first batch have now entered scores of innovative tech startups in India that have been bolstered by the Launchpad programme over the years. With the second batch, Google aims to expand its mentorship momentum, grow the AI/ML ecosystem in India and help Indian startups build scalable solutions.
In extension to the tailored one-to-one mentorship, some of the approaches in which the first class benefited from the program incorporate — insights and support on advanced technology such as ML, in-depth Design Sprints for individually identified challenges, supervision on focused tech projects, characteristics on the Google Play store, networking opportunities and connects at industry events and platform.
“Our Launchpad Accelerator programme is bringing best of our expertise, platforms, tools and core strengths including Machine Learning and AI, to help Indian start-ups build, scale and grow their offering,” said Paul Ravindranath, Product Manager, Launchpad Accelerator India.
