Latest news with #GoogleforStartupsAccelerator:AIFirst
Fintech News ME
23-05-2025
- Business
- Fintech News ME
Google Launches Second AI Accelerator for MENA-T Startups
Google has announced the launch of its second 'Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First' programme for the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENA-T). The 12-week, equity-free initiative is aimed at supporting promising Seed to Series A startups that are developing AI solutions, offering access to infrastructure, tools, and expert guidance to help scale their technologies. The MENA-T region is increasingly being recognised as a growing centre for AI innovation, with broad applications across a range of industries. According to PwC, AI could contribute up to US$15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. McKinsey estimates that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries alone could see gains of up to US$150 billion. Investment in AI across the region is also on the rise, with Wamda reporting that the share of AI-related startup funding more than doubled between 2023 and 2024. PwC further forecasts that the region could benefit from US$320 billion, approximately 2 percent of the global economic impact of AI, by 2030. Commenting on the programme, Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban, Managing Director for MENA-T at Google Cloud, said: 'The incredible momentum of AI development in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkiye region presents a unique opportunity to foster a new wave of technological advancement. Google Cloud is committed to providing a robust and scalable platform for AI innovation. Our aim is to equip these pioneering companies with the cloud infrastructure and expertise necessary to optimise their AI workloads and accelerate their growth trajectory in this dynamic field.' Anthony Nakache, Managing Director at Google MENA, added: 'With the 'Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First' programme, we are dedicated to providing targeted support to innovative startups, helping them access Google's best resources to solve complex challenges and scale their impactful AI-driven solutions globally.' Startups selected for the programme will receive Google Cloud credits to support the development and deployment of their AI technologies. The programme includes technical mentorship from Google Cloud engineers and solution architects, focusing on optimising cloud infrastructure for AI workloads. It also offers workshops on Google Cloud's AI and machine learning tools, data analytics, and serverless computing, alongside sessions on go-to-market strategy, product development, and leadership. Participants will also have access to a network of investors, industry experts, and potential partners. apply by 16 June 2025.
Web Release
22-05-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Google Announces Second 'AI First' Accelerator for Startups in Middle East, North Africa, and Turkiye to Bolster Regional AI Innovation
Google announced the launch of its second 'Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First' program for the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkiye (MENA-T). The 12-week, equity-free program is designed to empower the most promising Seed to Series A startups that are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, providing them with the essential infrastructure, tools, and expertise to scale and succeed. The MENA-T region is rapidly emerging as a significant hub for AI innovation, driving transformative change across various industries. Highlighting this potential, PwC estimates AI could contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with McKinsey projecting up to $150 billion for GCC countries alone. Regional AI investment is also accelerating, with its share of total startup funding more than doubling year-over-year from 2023 to 2024, according to Wamda reports. PwC further expects the region to accrue US$320 billion, or 2 percent of the total global benefits of AI, by 2030. 'The incredible momentum of AI development in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkiye region presents a unique opportunity to foster a new wave of technological advancement,' said Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban, Managing Director, MENA-T, Google Cloud. 'Google Cloud is committed to providing a robust and scalable platform for AI innovation. Our aim is to equip these pioneering companies with the cloud infrastructure and expertise necessary to optimize their AI workloads and accelerate their growth trajectory in this dynamic field.' Anthony Nakache, Managing Director, Google MENA, said: 'With the 'Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First' program, we are dedicated to providing targeted support to innovative startups, helping them access Google's best resources to solve complex challenges and scale their impactful AI-driven solutions globally.' The 'Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First' MENA-T program provides selected eligible startups with Google Cloud credits to accelerate the development and deployment of their AI solutions. Participants will benefit from expert technical mentorship from Google Cloud engineers and solution architects to optimize cloud infrastructure for AI workloads. The program also includes AI-focused workshops on Google Cloud's AI/ML capabilities, data analytics, and serverless computing, alongside workshops on Go-To-Market strategies covering product design, business growth, and leadership development. Crucially, the accelerator will offer extensive networking opportunities with a curated network of investors, potential partners, and industry leaders. Seed to Series A startups in the MENA-T region building AI-first solutions are encouraged to apply for the 'Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First' MENA-T program by June 16th, 2025, through the Google for Startups website. For further details on the program and the announcement, please refer to the official Google Arabia blog post:
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Google launches ‘AI First' accelerator to boost India's emerging startups
Google has opened applications for its Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First programme. With support from the MeitY Startup Hub, the initiative aims to fast-track AI-driven innovation in India, particularly in Agentic AI and Multimodal AI, which are seen as key drivers of the next phase of adoption. India's AI landscape is rapidly maturing. According to industry projections, India's Generative AI market is expected to surpass $17 billion by 2030, and AI is forecast to contribute significantly to achieving the country's ambitious $1 trillion digital economy target by 2028. As part of its national digital vision, the Indian government has launched the IndiaAI Mission, which prioritises AI as a strategic frontier. Mobile Finder: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge launched In line with this, Google's accelerator programme seeks to nurture Seed to Series A startups building core AI technologies, ranging from foundational models and reasoning systems to multimodal use cases and advanced AI applications. Selected startups will gain access to a suite of resources and mentorship over the course of the programme. Key benefits include: Mentorship: Startups will receive 1:1 guidance from experts across Google teams including DeepMind, Health, Cloud, Android, Ads, and more. Customised Support: OKR-driven weekly sessions and dedicated startup success managers will help companies meet their growth and product goals. Infrastructure Access: Eligible startups will benefit from free Cloud TPUs, Cloud credits, and advanced AI tools such as Gemini, Gemma, Imagen, and Veo. Hands-on AI Integration: Founders will work closely with Google AI teams to solve complex technical challenges and incorporate Google's latest AI models. Last year's programme had a measurable impact. Participating startups collectively raised over $61 million in funding and gained valuable exposure via the Google Cloud Marketplace. Notable examples include: SpotDraft, which improved contract management using the Gemini API, cutting costs by 80% and boosting accuracy by 30%. Kroop AI, which enhanced user engagement by 40% through optimised pricing for its deepfake detection tech. Merlin AI, a productivity app, which leveraged Gemini's long context window to enhance chat and document processing for its 2 million users. Applications are open until 30 June 2025 via Google's startup portal.
