Google Academy: Two Nigerian Startups Among Global Innovators For Reshaping Healthcare Using AI.
By Caroline Ameh
The Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Health has just announced its latest cohort of innovators, and it’s a win for Nigerian startups. Two standout companies from Nigeria, mDoc Nigeria and Pharmarun Nigeria, have secured coveted spots among the 30 startups chosen for this prestigious program.
Program lead for Google Startups Yuval Passov, said this initiative doesn’t just celebrate Nigeria; it’s a testament to the growing tech prowess across Africa.
In total, five African startups were handpicked for the program, which spans across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The uniqueness of this is that all everyone selected for the are all utilizing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance healthcare services for a global audience. From improving diagnosis accuracy to personalizing patient care, these innovators are on a mission to make healthcare more accessible and effective for everyone.
Passov commented, “The 30 startups in our 2023 cohort are reshaping healthcare using Artificial Intelligence-empowered solutions. Startups worldwide are harnessing AI as a transformative instrument to address significant challenges from early disease detection to ensuring information accessibility.”
Meet the African Trailblazers:
1. mDoc Nigeria: This startup is redefining personal health practices through virtual health mentorship, offering individuals the guidance they need for healthier lives.
2. Pharmarun Nigeria: Pharmarun is creating a unified platform for regional pharmacies, placing the patient’s needs at the forefront of healthcare accessibility.
3. Eden Care Rwanda: From Rwanda, this startup combines AI and digital health to transform health insurance and corporate well-being.
4. iZola Limited Kenya: iZola is dedicated to supporting families with neurodivergent children through an AI-integrated therapeutics platform.
5. Zuri Health, Kenya: Zuri Health is taking patient care to the next level with a comprehensive digital toolkit, reimagining the way healthcare is delivered.
These African startups not only showcase their countries’ potential to develop global health solutions but also demonstrate Google’s commitment to nurturing and partnering with them as they scale their groundbreaking solutions.
The Growth Academy is a three-month program that offers virtual workshops covering AI best practices, leadership development, responsible innovation, product design, and customer acquisition. Additionally, it provides one-on-one mentorship sessions and technical project support from experts in AI and healthcare.
To foster collaboration and networking, the program includes two in-person summits connecting founders with venture capitalists, industry experts, and fellow founders in the healthcare and well-being AI space.
Even after the program’s conclusion, founders will continue to receive valuable support through the Google for Startups alumni network.
This initiative aligns with Google’s broader vision of supporting startups and accelerating their growth. Earlier this year, Google introduced the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First, a 10-week equity-free accelerator aimed at supporting African startups using AI to address local challenges.
The impact of these startups extends beyond improving lives; they are driving substantial economic growth. Since 2018, Google has supported 106 startups from 17 African countries, collectively raising over $263 million in funding and creating over 2,800 jobs.
Beyond Africa, this year’s Growth Academy cohort includes startups like Biocam, Mindstep, and Rayscape, highlighting the global reach and relevance of AI-driven healthcare innovation.
The Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Health is a hybrid program committed to supporting high-potential startups using AI technology to drive responsible growth and innovation in the healthcare sector.
