Google has announced that Nigerian startup `mDoc’ was one of 11 startups selected to participate in the fully digital inaugural Google for startups Accelerator on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Yossi Matias, Google’s Vice President, Engineering, said the 11 were selected based on their vision to address challenges outlined in the UN’s SDGs.
Matias said the SDGs included poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice.
He said that Nigerian startup `mDoc’ used a digital platform and in-person hubs to support people living with chronic diseases and would join the programme on April 21.
The Nigerian startup would join the programme alongside startups from France, Germany (2) Israel, the Netherlands, Kenya (2) Pakistan and the UK (2).
“In order to keep the programme safe and accessible in the light of COVID-19, the first two on-site events will now be digital.
”Virtual training will cover topics such as creating Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), UX Research & Behavioural Economics, ML Data Pipelines and Data Visualisation and Strategies for Social Impact Fundraising.
”The five-month programme kicks off on April 21 and a second cohort will be selected later in the year,” Matias said.
Matias said when businesses and investors worked together with the government, non-profits, communities and individuals, we could make real progress.
Google announced its Startups Accelerator on SDGs in November 2019.
The goal of the programme was to help founders build technology to solve serious issues facing the world.
The winners were selected from almost 1,200 applications received from 73 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and with the assistance of an external jury to carefully evaluate each idea.
Each startup would work closely with engineers from over 20 Google teams as well as other subject matter experts, to address product, engineering, business development and funding challenges