Google for Startups has unveiled the 24 startups selected for its 2024 cohort of the Growth Academy: AI for Health program. These startups, hailing from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), are utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to transform healthcare and medical research in their respective regions.
Included in the lineup are Healthtracka from Nigeria, Thalia Psychotherapy and TibuHealth from Kenya, and Zoie Health from South Africa. These companies are tackling critical healthcare challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as integrating mental health services, providing accessible outpatient care, and offering affordable healthcare solutions for underserved communities.
Thalia Psychotherapy’s AI chatbot, for instance, is expanding access to mental health support in a region facing a shortage of mental health professionals. TibuHealth is making outpatient services more affordable through “minute clinics” in partner pharmacies situated in densely populated neighborhoods.
Dorothy Ooko, Head of Communications and Public Affairs at Google Africa, emphasized Google’s dedication to nurturing innovative startups, especially those leveraging AI to tackle pressing healthcare issues. The three-month Growth Academy program provides rigorous training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, covering topics like AI best practices, leadership development, responsible innovation, and customer acquisition. Participants also receive individual mentorship and technical support from Google experts across various fields, including Research, Health, Verily, Fitbit, and DeepMind.
The selected startups span a wide range of healthcare innovations, from chronic disease management to cancer prediction, digital biomarkers, mental health support, and more. Through the Growth Academy: AI for Health program, these startups are poised to make significant strides in revolutionizing the healthcare landscape with their AI-driven solutions.
