Google Invites Applications From Indian Startups For Third Batch Of Launchpad Accelerator

In its third iteration, Google has announced the call for applications for Launchpad Accelerator.

Launchpad Accelerator is a specially designed class to help startups with late-stage app in emerging markets. It helps them scale up and find solutions to their business challenges. This will be the third batch by Google and will be held at its newly opened Google Developers Space at San Francisco.

The equity-free programme will begin on January 30, 2017. During each class, over 20 Google teams will provide comprehensive mentoring to candidates who seek to scale up in their local markets. Selected candidates will also continue to receive access to Google’s expertise and resources for six months.

The three-month programme starts with an all-expenses-paid two weeks boot camp at Google HQ. Through Launchpad Accelerator, startups can utilise Google’s mentorship and privileged product access to scale business. They can then capitalise on local markets, while also tapping into new global opportunities.

Roy Glasberg, Global Lead, Launchpad Accelerator, Google said, “This is a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and emerging markets. To date Launchpad Accelerator has nearly 50 alumni in India, Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico. Startups in these markets are tackling critical local problems, but they often lack access to the resources and network we have here. This dedicated space will enable us to regularly engage with developers and serve their evolving needs, whether that is to build a product, grow a company or make revenue.”

The startups that can apply for the programme have to be tech-based, aiming to solve a real challenge for the local market and should have proven market fit, essentially beyond the ideation stage.

According to an official statement, every application to the Launchpad Accelerator is considered holistically and with great care.

The applications for Launchpad Accelerator can be submitted here. The deadline for the same is October 24, 2016.

In its first batch of Launchpad Accelerator, Doormint, Frankly.me, Holachef, Justride, Murmur, Nestaway and English Dost were among the selected startups for the programme from India. For its second batch, the startups selected included Taskbob, MagicPin, Programming Hub, ShareChat, RedCarpet, and PlaySimple Games.

Google is also reportedly planning to develop a website called Bharat Saves, to offer information on financial planning. The target users for this platform will be homemakers, small business owners, the newly employed, retired persons and farmers. It is aiming to align the website to the government’s financial inclusion in Jan Dhan Yojana.