Dubai, UAE – May 3, 2024 – Google for Startups has unveiled the inaugural cohort of its Women in AI program, designed to empower female-led startups harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
This initiative comes at a crucial time. While MENA startups secured a record $4 billion in funding last year, a mere 1.2% went to women-founded businesses, with an even smaller portion reaching those leveraging AI. Recognizing the critical role women play in fostering economic opportunities and developing inclusive AI solutions, Google is committed to bridging this gap.
The program, launched in partnership with the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence and the UAE Ministry of AI, provides a unique, equity-free opportunity for these high-potential startups to accelerate their growth.
Following a kick-off session in Dubai focusing on go-to-market strategies, sales, and growth hacking, the founders embarked on a six-week intensive program. Mentored by Google experts, they delve into the intricacies of generative AI best practices, explore powerful tools like Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, and participate in a comprehensive “People + AI” workshop series. This series equips them with the knowledge to design human-centered AI products that benefit society.
