The fourth batch of Google for Startups (GFS) Accelerator program was announced recently. In this batch, Google will extend support from a network of mentors in India to 20 startups for three months.

These 20 startups are:

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In this batch, Google has doubled the size of the startups from 10 to 20 and has also expanded the scope of the entire program. The fourth GFS Accelerator program will now include startups that are using cutting-edge technology to help India and the world adapt and move forward from the pandemic.

Workplace collaboration and connection tools, mental health and wellness, health-tech, fin-tech, and agritech are some of the categories that require urgent innovation and are startups that will be included in this batch.

How The Program Will Support The Startups

Paul Ravindranath G, Program Manager, GFS Accelerator, Google India said, “GFS Accelerator’s mission is more important in the present times when this ecosystem faces unprecedented odds. We aim to focus single-mindedly on helping startups tide over the next 18-24 months when the effects of the pandemic will be felt the strongest.”

The support extended by Google in the GFS Accelerator ranges from access to Google teams, tech guidance on projects, machine learning related support, user experience, and design mentorship, leadership workshops, networking opportunities at industry engagements, PR support, and more.

Benefits of GFS Accelerator

The entire program is not new and has proven to be useful to many startups before. Since 2015, GFS Accelerator has supported over 60 startups. These startups have collectively raised over $700 million in funding and played a key role in making India the second largest startup ecosystem in the world.

Since 2020 began, over 500 startups have benefited from mentorships and webinar content specially created by Google mentors and collaborators.