Google for Startups has announced 24 startups chosen for the 2024 cohort of the Growth Academy: AI for Health program. The selected startups include Healthtracka from Nigeria, Thalia Psychotherapy and TibuHealth from Kenya, and Zoie Health from South Africa.

This year's initiative showcases 24 startups addressing various healthcare challenges using AI, ranging from early cancer detection and chronic disease management to mental health support and clinical trial optimization.

The program aims to assist promising startups in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) that are utilizing AI to transform healthcare and medical research.

These startups demonstrate AI's potential in tackling healthcare issues in Sub-Saharan Africa by advancing mental health integration, offering accessible outpatient services, and providing affordable healthcare to marginalized communities.

According to the World Health Organization, over 116 million people across Africa were estimated to have mental health conditions before the pandemic, with less than two mental health workers per 100,000 individuals.

Thalia Psychotherapy's AI-powered chatbot provides initial assessments and therapy sessions to enhance access to mental health services in regions facing a critical shortage of mental health professionals. TibuHealth provides affordable outpatient services through 'minute clinics' in partner pharmacies located in densely populated areas.

Dorothy Ooko, Head of Communications and Public Affairs at Google Africa, expressed the commitment to supporting innovative startups leveraging AI to address critical healthcare challenges. The Growth Academy: AI for Health program reflects this dedication, and the impact these startups will have on healthcare's future is eagerly anticipated.

The three-month program offers intensive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to participants. Workshops cover AI best practices, leadership development, responsible innovation, product design, and customer acquisition. Google experts from Research, Health, Verily, Fitbit, and DeepMind will provide one-on-one mentorship and technical project support.

The participating startups represent 13 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and are leveraging AI models and technology to enhance patient care and advance medical research.

• Aide (United Kingdom): A digital service aiding patients and clinicians in managing chronic diseases.

• AmplifAI (Saudi Arabia): Utilizes AI-driven thermography for objective assessment of diabetic foot ulcers.

• Biorce (Portugal): Enhances clinical trials through AI with Jarvis, a clinical AI assistant.

• C the Signs (United Kingdom): Predicts cancer risks at early stages.

• Callyope (France): Develops speech-based solutions for remote patient monitoring.

• Clear.bio (Netherlands): Focuses on reversing type 2 diabetes through precision nutrition.

• Ephion Health (Spain): Develops digital biomarkers for precise disease monitoring.

• Exakt Health (Germany): Medical app for physiotherapy with personalized treatment plans.

• FiveLives (France): Digital brain health platform for cognitive health in older adults.

• Healthtracka (Nigeria): Decentralizes healthcare access through remote diagnostics.

• HearMe (Poland): Provides mental health support through secure 1:1 sessions.

• Juniver (United Kingdom): Offers support for eating disorders through AI-powered interventions.

• Mindgram (Poland): Platform for psychological and self-development support.

• Motherbeing (Egypt): Dedicated to women's sexual and reproductive health.

• Noah Labs (Germany): Voice-based software for early detection of heart failure.

• Nui (Germany): App for family caregivers with intelligent chatbot support.

• O7 Therapy (Egypt): Bridges treatment gap with tech and mental health support.

• Powerful Medical (Slovakia): AI-driven platform for cardiovascular diagnostics.

• Research Grid (United Kingdom): Automation engine for successful clinical trials.

• Rofim (France): Telemedicine platform connecting patients with healthcare professionals.

• SYCAI Medical (Spain): Develops cancer prevention software non-invasively.

• Thalia Psychotherapy (Kenya): Integrates mental health services into primary healthcare.

• TibuHealth (Kenya): Provides affordable outpatient services via 'minute clinics'.

• Zoie Health (South Africa): Focuses on affordable healthcare for underserved populations.