Google's Launchpad Accelerator Program Aims for Mentoring 1K Startups in India in 2019

Tech giant Google is planning to expand its India-focused Launchpad Accelerator programme to mentor 1,000 startups in the country in 2019. To scale the programme in India, Google is said to be currently looking for incubators and accelerator partners.

Although Google’s Launchpad has had supported plenty of startups from India, the company had launched the India-focused Launchpad Accelerator in July this year only. About 30 Indian startups have benefitted from our global Launchpad Accelerator program, helping them collectively raise over $70M and drive revenue increases of almost 500%.

According to Paul Ravindranath G, programme manager of Launchpad Accelerator at Google India, the company will be working with several incubators and accelerators in the counttry to add the launchpad’s mentor network, design sprint methodology, Machine Learning bootcamps, objectives & key results, and scale these proven engagement tools across all partners.

Globally, Google already has 10 partners for Launchpad Accelerator mentorship and these are a part of the ‘Powered by’ programme where Google Launchpad supports accelerators and incubators.

A total of 10 startups were shortlisted from thousands of applicants for the inaugural edition of the three-month accelerator programme in India.

The startups underwent two weeks of training offering them mentorship, opening up Google’s network, experts and technologies.

To recall, in September two Indian startups - m.Paani and Aye Finance have been shortlisted in 10 companies selected globally by Google for its flagship development acceleration programme "Launchpad Studio".

Source - Economic Times

Google Invites Indian startups For Its Launchpad Accelerator Programme

Google today announced the call for applications for the third batch of the Launchpad Accelerator.
If you are a late-stage app startup from Brazil, India, Indonesia, or Mexico, we encourage you to apply here by October 24, 2016.

The equity-free program will begin on January 30, 2017 at the new Google Developers Launchpad Space in San Francisco and will include 2 weeks of all-expense-paid training.

Benefits

During the kick-off bootcamp Google will deliver in-depth technical and business mentoring that enables our startups to tackle their specific challenges and successfully scale. Launchpad mentors hail from around the world and more than 20 teams across Google. In total, startups receive access to Google’s expertise and resources for 6 months.

To date Launchpad Accelerator has nearly 50 alumni in India, Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico.

Guidelines for Startups Selection -

Below are general guidelines official stated by Google for its process of startups selection :

All startups in the program must:

• Be a technological startup.


• Be targeting their local markets.


• Be based in Brazil, India, Indonesia, or Mexico.


• Have proven product-market fit (beyond ideation stage).

Additionally, Google interested in what kind of startup you are and also consider following:

• The problem you are trying to solve. How does it create value for users? How are you addressing a real challenge for your home city, country or region?


• Does the management team have a leadership mindset and the drive to become an influencer? Will they share what they learn in Silicon Valley for the benefit of other startups in their local ecosystem?

The equity-free programme will begin on January 30, 2017.During each class, over 20 Google teams will provide comprehensive mentoring to late-stage app startups.