Google has announced the full list of 10 startups participating in its Developer Launchpad Studio.
The startups were drawn from four continents and nine countries, with Ghanaian startup, Inclusive Financial Technologies making the list. Nigeria is represented through Frontier Car Group, the company behind Nigerian marketplace for used cars, Cars45. Together, these startups make up the second cohorts for the unconventional Google Launchpad programme.
We're proud to be the only UK company selected to take part in Google's prestigious Launchpad Studio programme to explore how we can use machine learning for the benefit of our customers
Check out their blog to see who's joining us https://t.co/oULvcHOMmT
— Starling Bank (@StarlingBank) September 6, 2018
“These Studio startups have been invited from across nine countries and four continents to discuss how machine learning can be utilized for financial inclusion, stable currencies, and identification services,” says Rich Hyndman, Global Tech Lead at Google Launchpad.
“They are defining how ML and blockchain can supercharge efforts to include everyone and ensure greater prosperity for all. Together, data and user behaviour are enabling a truly global economy with inclusive and differentiated products for banking, insurance, and credit.”
The four months program will hold at Google’s Headquarters in Silicon Valley. Participating startups get access to Google Cloud, hardware and datasets. They also get equity free support as well as community engagement and support after the programme.
About Google Developer Launchpad Studio
The Google Developer Launchpad Studio is a relatively new addition to Google’s global acceleration programs. However, unlike the Google Launchpad Accelerator which focuses on supporting startups to scale their businesses, the Developer Studio is aimed at scaling single projects.
The program supports the selected companies in the development of a project, and typically it involves using machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Yet, unlike the Launchpad Accelerator also, Google does not invest in the companies. Instead, its main focus is on helping these startups scale their AI/ML products. Google also uses the program to identify new areas of development and future investment.
🇬🇭 Congratulations to #MESTalum and @inclusiveft CEO @PaulDamalie on Inclusive's selection for the @Google FinTech Programme! https://t.co/4FjPntLIkp
— MEST Africa (@MESTAfrica) September 10, 2018
Google calls the Developer Studio a product acceleration program as the four months program is open to “product-focused” artificial intelligence and machine learning startups.
The program began last year with the first set of cohorts focused largely on developing medical solutions. However, the second batch of cohorts is focused on financial services.
They include Alchemy (U.S.); Aye Finance (India); Axinan (Singapore); Celo (U.S.); Go-Jek (Indonesia); Inclusive Financial Technologies (Ghana); Guiabolso (Brazil); m.Paani (India); Starling Bank (U.K.); and Frontier Car Group, the German company developing online platforms for used car sales in Nigeria, round up the list of cohorts.
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