Google’s Growth Academy launches new AI program to help startups build educational tools

Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Education will provide support and mentorship for edtech companies in EMEA.

AI can be a critical tool for students, educators and schools around the world — from bridging the gap in STEM literacy, to improving parent-teacher communication. Edtech startups are an important piece to this puzzle, building creative AI solutions to personalize learning, upskill teachers and improve educational outcomes.

To support these startups and help them tackle educational challenges, we’re launching a new program — Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Education. This three-month program will provide founders and their teams with tailored workshops, expert mentorship and networking opportunities to build with AI and expand their education and workforce learning solutions to new markets. Participants will gather twice in person with their fellow founders and Google mentors, but the majority of the program will be conducted virtually to allow more startups from across Europe, Africa and the Middle East to participate.

One of the hundreds of startups already benefiting from hands-on support through Google programs such as Google Cloud for EdTech is Kwame AI. Cofounders George Boateng and Victor Kumbol set out to improve outcomes and productivity for both learners and educators across Africa with an AI-powered mobile teaching assistant. More than 2,300 students across 110 countries have learned to code on their phones using the Kwame.ai app since its launch in January 2022. Users have landed internships and jobs at Google and other tech companies, and others are now studying computer science and engineering at top universities such as Yale, MIT and Columbia. With Google mentorship, the Kwame.ai team is on track to help train thousands more. “Google was the ideal partner for us because of their AI expertise and their commitment to fostering innovation in education,” says Victor. “As we look to scale our AI startup, we are confident that the technical resources and support from Google will make it easier to harness the full potential of AI.”

Applications for Google for Startups Growth Academy: AI for Education are now open to startups in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Interested startups can learn more and apply before May 24, 2024.