Support for Southeast Asian startups tackling big challenges
Google for Startups Accelerator announced a three-month online program, supporting startups. The program targets startups working on social, health, economic problems across the region. 600+ applications were received after applications opened in June 2020. 15 shortlisted startups have been announced, which makes the first cohort, with 3 Pakistani companies in the list.
“Southeast Asia’s startups have helped build a thriving internet economy. Now, they have an equally important role to play in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic—and in tackling some of the biggest challenges Southeast Asia faces around education, health, e-commerce, logistics, and financial technology,” said the statement released by Google. 
As part of the program, selected startups will receive mentorship on both technical and business challenges over the course of three months. They will also be connected to teams from Google and the wider technology industry. The program includes workshops focused on designing products, customer service, and leadership development for founders.
“We can’t wait to help them move their ideas forward as they make a difference for Southeast Asians over the next decade and beyond.”
Here’s a look at the portfolio companies:
- Sehat Kahani (Pakistan) is working on providing access to affordable, technology-enabled healthcare via a network of qualified home-based women doctors.
- Walee (Pakistan) is a trading app to connect businesses looking to sell items online with social influencers who want to collaborate with them.
- DeafTawk (Pakistan) has created a digital sign language interpretation service platform that breaks down communication barriers.
- Advance (Philippines) is a credit platform that provides short-term salary advances for Filipino employees.
- GIZTIX (Thailand) is an integrated logistics platform that helps customers grow their businesses and reduce operating costs.
- Hacktiv8 (Indonesia) helps train beginner developers, supports them in finding jobs and provides a new, fairer type of student loan.
- Kata.ai (Indonesia) has developed a conversational artificial intelligence platform that enables more natural conversations between businesses and their customers.
- MHub (Malaysia) is an end-to-end property transaction platform that makes the process of buying a home easier by linking property developers, real estate agents, and potential customers.
- Riliv (Indonesia) has created an online counseling and meditation app to help people with their mental health.
- Rumarocket (Philippines) has developed an AI tool that helps companies make hiring decisions using behavioral science.
- SenzeHub (Singapore) offers a wearable, AI-powered device that determines a patient’s location and does vitals reading and crisis detection.
- Shoplinks (Singapore) provides consumer-goods clients with tools to digitize their customer engagements and promotions.
- Smartfuture (Singapore) is a telemedicine platform and self-monitoring diagnostic kiosk that allows users to check key health vitals.
- Thuocsi.vn (Vietnam) is an online platform to buy medicine, first aid and dispensary items.
- TopCV (Vietnam) is a recruitment platform that better connects recruiters and candidates.
