- Google Chief Sustainability Officer Kate Brandt announced recently that Google for Startups is launching an accelerator focused on sustainable development goals
Google Chief Sustainability Officer Kate Brandt recently announced that the company is launching an accelerator focused on sustainable development goals. The accelerator was geared toward social impact startups working to create a healthier and more sustainable future. And the accelerator provides access to training, products, and technical support. Plus startup founders will work with Google’s engineers and will receive mentoring from over 20 teams at Google along with outside experts and local mentors.
“Technology can help address some of the world’s biggest challenges, from empowering others to use AI to address social challenges, to setting ambitious and long-term environmental sustainability goals. When businesses and investors work together with government, nonprofits, communities, and individuals, we can make real progress,” wrote Brandt in a blog post.
The startups that are going to be selected are based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty, inequality, climate, and environmental degradation. The applications will open for startups from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa over the next few weeks. And 8 to 10 startups will take part in the six-month accelerator program in early 2020. And a second cohort is going to be selected later this year.
This program was developed for addressing the challenges that founders face while building a social impact company. These challenges may include product and engineering expertise, business development, or access to funding.
This program was built within the Google for Startups program — which is known for helping startups build and scale products. And the announcement was made by Brandt at the Web Summit tech conference in Lisbon.
