The Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Health has recently announced that it has chosen two Nigerian startups, mDoc Nigeria and Pharmarun Nigeria, to participate in its program. These startups, along with three other African startups, are among the 30 selected from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
According to Yuval Passov, the Head of Google for Startups and the program lead, these 30 startups were chosen because they are utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the healthcare industry for all individuals.
“From developing new treatments to improving the accuracy of diagnosis and personalizing care for patients, startups are using AI to make healthcare better for everyone,” Passov stated. “The 30 startups in our 2023 cohort are reshaping healthcare using AI-powered solutions. Startups worldwide are harnessing AI as a transformative instrument to address significant challenges, from early disease detection to ensuring information accessibility.”
One of the selected Nigerian startups, mDoc Nigeria, aims to revolutionize personal health practices through virtual health mentorship. The other Nigerian startup, Pharmarun Nigeria, is focused on unifying regional pharmacies with a patient-first platform.
Additions to the African cohort include Eden Care Rwanda, which merges AI and digital health to reshape health insurance and corporate well-being. iZola Limited Kenya enhances support for families with neurodivergent children through an AI-integrated therapeutics platform. Lastly, Zuri Health from Kenya is revolutionizing patient care with an all-inclusive digital toolkit.
Passov emphasizes that these startups serve as examples of the continent’s ability to develop global health solutions. The Growth Academy is designed to offer support and partnership to these startups as they strive to scale and disseminate their groundbreaking solutions.
As part of the three-month program, the Academy provides virtual workshops, one-on-one mentorship sessions, technical project support, and in-person summits. These activities connect founders to venture capitalists, industry experts, and other founders within the healthcare and well-being space.
After the program concludes, the founders will join the Google for Startups alumni network, where they will continue to receive expert support. This initiative aligns with Google’s broader vision to support startups and accelerate their growth.
In August, Google announced the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First, a 10-week equity-free accelerator program aimed at supporting African startups in using artificial intelligence to tackle local challenges.
“Startup innovations not only improve billions of lives but also drive robust economic growth,” Passov stated. Since its introduction in Africa in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator programs have supported 106 startups from 17 African countries. Collectively, these startups have raised over $263 million in funding and created more than 2,800 jobs.
Selected startups for the academy outside Africa include Biocam, Mindstep, and Rayscape, among others.
The Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Health is a hybrid program dedicated to supporting high-potential startups leveraging AI technology to grow and innovate responsibly.
