Google on Wednesday, announced that Nigerian startup `mDoc’ was one of 11 startups selected to participate in the fully digital inaugural Google for startups Accelerator on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yossi Matias, Google’s Vice President, Engineering, said in a statement, that the 11 were selected based on their vision to address challenges outlined in the UN’s SDGs.

Matias said the SDGs included poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice.

He said that Nigerian startup `mDoc’ used a digital platform and in-person hubs to support people living with chronic diseases and would join the programme on April 21.

The Nigerian startup would join the programme alongside startups from France, Germany (2) Israel, the Netherlands, Kenya (2) Pakistan and the UK (2).

According to him, the chosen startups will address a wide range of social and environmental challenges and are working to create a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

“In order to keep the programme safe and accessible in the light of COVID-19, the first two on-site events will now be digital.

”Virtual training will cover topics such as creating Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), UX Research & Behavioural Economics, ML Data Pipelines and Data Visualisation and Strategies for Social Impact Fundraising.

”The five-month programme kicks off on April 21 and a second cohort will be selected later in the year,” Matias said.

According to him, around the world, there are more startups addressing the world’s most pressing social challenges.

The vice president said that technology could help address some of the world’s biggest challenges, from empowering others to use AI to address social challenges, to set ambitious and long-term environmental sustainability goals.

Matias said when businesses and investors worked together with the government, non-profits, communities and individuals, we could make real progress.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Google announced its Startups Accelerator on SDGs in November 2019.

The goal of the programme was to help founders build technology to solve serious issues facing the world.

The winners were selected from almost 1,200 applications received from 73 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and with the assistance of an external jury to carefully evaluate each idea.

Each startup would work closely with engineers from over 20 Google teams as well as other subject matter experts, to address product, engineering, business development and funding challenges