Applications are open starting today
Over the last 3.5 years, Google's Launchpad has successfully supported hundreds of startups from India. From short format startup mentorship activities like Launchpad Start and Build to the 6-month global Launchpad Accelerator, Indian startups have experienced the best of Google's mentor network, resources, methodologies and technology. Thirty Indian startups have benefitted from our global Launchpad Accelerator program, helping them collectively raise over $70M and drive revenue increases of almost 500%.
Based on the growing maturity of the Indian startup ecosystem, last year we launched an India-only pilot "Solve for India", to identify startups that were focused on building solutions that serves India's needs using latest technologies. We identified several startups from this roadshow and hosted a "Solve for India" mentorship boot camp, where the founders and their teams spent four days in one-on-one consults with experts from Google and mentors from the industry to solve critical product and growth challenges.
Building on the efforts of our Launchpad offerings till date and based on our learning from the pilot, today we're excited to announce Google's Launchpad Accelerator India, our new mentorship program tailored exclusively for startups based in India and deploying Machine Learning/AI to build solutions for India's local needs.
Launchpad Accelerator India will kick-off as a three-month accelerator that provides Indian startups with mentorship and access to the best of Google - its people, network and technologies. Applications for the first class is now open until July 31, 12pm IST and the first class will begin in September 2018.
What do we look for when selecting startups?
Startups will need to meet the following criteria to be considered for the Launchpad Accelerator India:
All startups in the program should:
1/ Be a technology startup.
2/ Be based in India.
3/ Have preferably at least raised seed funding.
4/ Address a challenge that is specific to India
5/ Use advanced technology like AI/ML to power the solution.
1/ Be a technology startup.
2/ Be based in India.
3/ Have preferably at least raised seed funding.
4/ Address a challenge that is specific to India
5/ Use advanced technology like AI/ML to power the solution.
Each class will consist of upto 10 startups who will receive mentorship and support from the best of Google in AI/ML, Cloud, UX, Android, Web, Product Strategy and Marketing. Startups will also receive Google Cloud Credits from $20K - going up to $100K each.
We look forward to welcome the first cohort of innovators for Launchpad Accelerator India and will continue to support them to drive innovation for India .
Posted by Paul Ravindranath, Regional Lead, Launchpad Accelerator, Google India