NARASIMHAN KASTHURI
SAN FRANCISCO, DEC 3
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is spreading its tentacles in every sphere and healthcare is no exception to this trend. From developing new treatments to improving the accuracy of diagnosis and personalizing care for patients, startups are using AI to make healthcare better for everyone. 30 startups selected for the program, representing 15 countries from the whole region.
Google for Startups Growth Academy
To support their efforts and help founders enhance health outcomes for people around the world, Google had launched Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Health program for companies based in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Next week AI-focused medtech professionals, startups from Europe, the Middle East and Africa will present and discuss the trends and challenges in three areas critical for the whole healthcare sector – Health regulations on Innovations in EU & Africa, the future of AI in healthcare and medical data in an AI-driven environment.
- Next week AI-focused medtech professionals, startups from Europe, the Middle East and Africa will present and discuss the trends and challenges in three areas critical for the whole healthcare sector
- Over three months of workshops, mentoring, and networking events, founders develop data-driven strategies for acquiring new customers and partnerships, innovate responsibly with emerging technologies, and expand to new markets
- This three-month program consists of virtual workshops on best practices for AI and leadership development, responsible innovation, product design and customer acquisition
AI for Health is a hybrid program dedicated to supporting high-potential startups using AI technology to grow and innovate responsibly in the healthcare and wellbeing industry. Google’s global network of physical spaces where startups can access workspaces, events, programs, and a diverse community of entrepreneurs. Located in Tel Aviv, Seoul, Madrid, São Paulo, Warsaw, and Tokyo, Google for Startups Campuses feature community event spaces, workspaces, classrooms, and cafes for startup founders and their teams to make progress on their big idea.
Over three months of workshops, mentoring, and networking events, founders develop data-driven strategies for acquiring new customers and partnerships, innovate responsibly with emerging technologies, and expand to new markets.
This three-month program consists of virtual workshops on best practices for AI and leadership development, responsible innovation, product design and customer acquisition. It also includes one-on-one mentorship sessions and technical project support from experts from Google Research, Google Health, Verily, Fitbit, Google DeepMind and more. There were in-person summits, including the program kickoff in London on September 27 and 28, designed to connect founders to venture capitalists, industry experts and other founders building with AI in the healthcare and wellbeing space. After the program’s conclusion founders continued to receive support through the Google for Startups alumni network. AI for Health is one of Google’s many efforts to advance AI and make healthcare more accessible and accurate to everyone in the world.
Some of the startups of the 30 startups selected for the program are into development and diagnosis. Acorai from Sweden, has developed a heart failure monitoring platform. Estonia based Activate Health developed a platform that uses data, AI and gamification to help users improve their physical and mental wellbeing. ADNTRO GENETICS of Spain has come out with a DNA kit requiring only a saliva sample to discover personalized nutrition, training, predispositions to diseases and more.
The UK based Anya , a startup supporting parents during their first 1,001 days of parental journey — from conception to toddlerhood. Biocam of Poland has an endoscopic capsule for real-time determination of potential digestive system threats. Cara Care of Germany had developed a holistic companion for people with digestive issues.
- Clare & me (Germany): An AI voice coach for anxiety, worries or circulating thoughts, Deemea (France): A cooperative platform dedicated to medical imaging data, Doctomatic (Spain): A remote patient monitoring software where patients can scan the results and automatically provide the data to their doctors and Eden Care (Rwanda): A health insurance solution, offering seamless and affordable digital healthcare coverage to businesses across Africa.
- EQL of UK has a self-service assessment tools for people with muscle and joint problems that enable quick access to the best available care. ExactCure of France has a Digital Twin simulating the concentration of drugs in the blood of patients. iZola (Kenya): An online therapeutics platform for families with neuro divergent children. Kahun (Israel): An AI assistant platform designed specifically for physicians. Labplus (Poland): A medical device software that automates the analysis of lab test results.
- Likeminded (Germany): A platform that supports and improves the mental health and wellbeing of employees, mDoc (Nigeria): A digital health company which provides virtual self-care health coaching to people living with or at risk for chronic health needs, Mindstep (UK): An app for optimizing brain and mental health care, MX Labs (Estonia): A startup providing health advice in seconds based on camera-based health screening using only a smartphone, Pharmacy Marts (Egypt): A digital marketplace that connects pharmacies and medical suppliers.
- Other startups include Pharmarun (Nigeria): An on-demand platform simplifying how Africans access medication through the use of technology, Rayscape (Romania): A complete digital assistant for radiologists that provides AI tools for better decisions, StethoMe (Poland): An intelligent stethoscope for parents, Talkie.ai (Poland): A company simplifying access to healthcare by automating telephone contact with patients using AI-based virtual assistants, Techspert (UK): An expert network to source the freshest and most precise healthcare insights, Tucuvi (Spain): A startup automating medical phone conversations through empathic AI, Vitadio (Czechia): A mobile app reversing insulin resistance with AI-driven lifestyle modification, VOS.health (Czechia): A wellbeing companion with daily mental health insights, tailored plans, and all-in-one tools, Wellx (United Arab Emirates): A platform encouraging and rewarding healthy habits and Zuri Health (Kenya): A company providing affordable and accessible healthcare solutions for people without smartphones and living in underserved areas.
(Narasimhan Kasthuri was a veteran journalist with The Hindu and Financial Express covering business, IT etc. Now, in the US West Coast, he covers technology for NE. He can be contacted at @narasimhan.kasturi@yahoo.com, Mobile: +1 (650) 793-0056)
