Google Sets Up New Accelerator Program In Tel Aviv

April 3, 2018 | US tech giant Google has selected Tel Aviv, Israel as the site for a new startup accelerator focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning. The accelerator, launched in early March, is part of Google’s Launchpad program, which helps startups build and scale products by “matching them with the best of Google, including people, networks, and advanced technologies.” This is the first time Google has taken the program outside the United States. Roy Glasberg, founder and general manager of the Google Global Acceleration programs and the Google AI Studio, told the Jerusalem Post that “part of the drive to set up the Tel Aviv accelerator is the company’s effort to move from a mobile-first mentality to AI-first.” He said that while “Silicon Valley is the leading, most mature tech ecosystem in the world…after five years of traveling the world, I came back to Israel, which is our best sandbox for experimentation.” Google’s Israel accelerator is currently working with BrainQ, a Jerusalem-based startup that aims to cure stroke and spinal cord injuries through brain-computer interface (BCI.) Aside from its own accelerator, Google also works with more than 150 local startups through different Israeli accelerators.