Along with start-ups from Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, Google today announced the seven promising start-ups from India that will join the third class of Launchpad Accelerator. Along with the two-week long all-expenses paid bootcamp, that starts January 30, 2017, the start-ups will join the six-month long mentoring program from Google – for mid to late stage start-ups. In addition, each start-up will get $50,000 in equity-free funding.
The bootcamp is held at Google’s Launchpad Space, which is a new physical space where group sessions for developers and start-ups are held across a variety of technology topics and also where these start-ups get to engage one-on-one with Google experts.
Shortlisted startups from India include an on-demand wardrobe rentals service, furniture and appliances rental service, top tutor help service, a platform for doctors to discuss medical cases with peers from across the country, an Indian word games for adults and kids, a service that allows you to earn money for playing games and a CRM app that helps businesses to do better lead management.
In order to obtain mentorship that is specific with precise, actionable solutions and resources from Google to bring their product/service app to scale, each start-up determines its critical challenges at the beginning of the program. In this way, the seven start-ups receive tailor-made guidance from Google engineers, product managers and other mentors from the best technology companies and VCs in Silicon Valley. Additionally, these seven also get to work closely with Google for six months in their home countries with equity-free support credits for Google products.
Paul Ravindranath G, Program Manager, Launchpad Accelerator said, “Over the last one year, thirteen Indian startups have participated in the program and many have already gained from the program and have successfully raised funding. Nestaway who was part of our first batch from India closed a $30M series C investment. MagicPin that offers deals and discounts for Restaurants, Spas, Salons implemented a progressive web app that has helped them to drive over 10% of their total daily transactions. We hope the next batch will continue to find value in the program and help them to succeed.”
Amarendra Sahu Co-founder of Nestaway from India, shares that, “Launchpad accelerator program made us believe that even we could build a world class product and the mentors helped us to understand what was needed to get there. We have recently asked for follow-on engagement with mentors. If you’re a startup who believes in changing the world through tech product, then this is the program for you.”
