Google for Startups has announced the selection of 24 startups for the 2024 cohort of the Growth Academy: AI for Health program. Notably, Kenya’s Thalia Psychotherapy and TibuHealth have been included among these innovative companies.
This initiative highlights startups that harness the potential of AI to tackle critical healthcare challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on enhancing mental health services, providing accessible outpatient care, and delivering affordable healthcare solutions to underserved populations.
“The program aims to support high-potential startups across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) that are revolutionizing healthcare and medical research through AI,” stated Google.
The World Health Organization estimates that over 116 million people in Africa were living with mental health conditions before the pandemic, with fewer than two mental health workers available for every 100,000 individuals. Thalia Psychotherapy addresses this gap with its AI-powered chatbot, which offers initial assessments and therapy sessions, thereby increasing access to mental health support in a region facing a critical shortage of professionals. Meanwhile, TibuHealth provides affordable outpatient services through “minute clinics” located in partner pharmacies within high-density neighborhoods.
Dorothy Ooko, Google Africa’s head of communications and public affairs, emphasized their commitment to fostering innovative startups that leverage AI to resolve pressing healthcare challenges. “The Growth Academy: AI for Health program exemplifies this commitment, and we are eager to see the impact these startups will have on the future of healthcare,” she remarked.
The three-month program will offer participants intensive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Startups will gain insights from workshops on best practices in AI, leadership development, responsible innovation, product design, and customer acquisition. Additionally, Google experts from various divisions, including Research, Health, Verily, Fitbit, and DeepMind, will provide one-on-one mentorship and technical project support.
The selected startups, representing 13 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, utilize AI technology to enhance patient care and advance medical research. Other notable participants include Aide (UK), AmplifAI (Saudi Arabia), Biorce (Portugal), and more.
