FG, Google Unveil 10 AI-Driven Startups Benefiting from N100 Million AI Fund
In a significant step toward fostering artificial intelligence (AI) innovation in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, in partnership with Google, has announced the 10 Nigerian startups selected to receive support from the newly established N100 million AI Fund.
This fund, developed by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and Google, will allocate N10 million to each chosen startup.Additionally, recipients will gain access to up to $3.5 million in Google Cloud Credits to facilitate their growth and scaling.
In addition to financial backing, these startups will receive access to advanced AI tools, mentorship from Google’s AI experts, and connections to a global network of innovators and partners. The selected startups span diverse sectors, each aiming to address critical local challenges:
BetaLife Health: Uses AI to predict blood demand and match blood types for Africa’s blood supply needs.
Bunce: An AI platform that centralizes and personalizes customer engagement for businesses.
CDIAL AI: Offers text-to-speech and speech-to-text AI services in 13 languages to underserved regions.
Farmspeak: Utilizes AI to assist livestock farmers in disease detection and climate control.
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Lendsqr: Streamlines lending operations with AI, helping lenders and borrowers worldwide.
ProDevs: Matches African tech talent with global employers using AI for job classification and matching.
Rana Energy: AI-powered energy management to optimize sustainable power for underserved communities.
SaaSPro Health: AI-enhanced healthcare documentation tools designed for Nigerian doctors.
Towntalk: Delivers contextual security insights for African communities using AI.
Google has emphasized the role of these startups in healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, viewing them as catalysts for economic growth.
“Across Africa, entrepreneurs are harnessing the power of technology, including AI, to address large-scale societal challenges,” said Matt Brittin, President of Google for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
“Google remains committed to supporting these innovators, helping them expand their impact across the continent and beyond.”
Public First, a global consulting firm, recently reported that AI has the potential to add as much as $15 billion to Nigeria’s economy by 2030.
Google’s support of this initiative aligns with its broader commitment to Nigeria, including a N1.2 billion digital skills initiative launched in 2023, which aims to empower 20,000 Nigerians through technology.
This partnership is a strategic push to harness AI’s potential for sustainable development and economic growth in Nigeria and across Africa.
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