Tech major Google GNI India Cohort 2 will begin the program with 10 diverse news startups who will join the Google News Initiative (GNI) Startup Labs in India.
This program is launched in partnership with Anymind Group and T-Hub. The three-month program is dedicated to supporting independent, early-stage news startups in India to achieve financial and operational sustainability.
Ten news startups have been chosen from over 100 applicants across the country, representing a diverse array of journalism categories, including investigative, political, medical, youth, climate, and local news. These startups aim to give a voice to underrepresented communities and cover news in multiple Indian languages such as English, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu.
According to Google, “The GNI Startups Lab India supports high-quality reporting for local communities, niche audiences, and/or previously underserved communities across India.” The program is part of Google’s broader efforts to foster innovation and help news startups develop new and sustainable business models that are more inclusive.
Google GNI India Training Network Trains 15,000 journalists
In addition to the GNI Startups Lab, Google has also undertaken other initiatives under the GNI umbrella in 2023. These include the GNI India Training Network and Data Dialogue, which have provided training to over 15,000 journalists and journalism students in more than 15 languages, impacting over 240 newsrooms and media colleges across the country.
Google GNI India Startup Labs remains committed to supporting the news industry in combating misinformation. Through partnerships with subject matter experts, the company empowers journalists and newsrooms with digital tools and skills to find, verify, and tell engaging stories while addressing the ever-evolving challenge of misinformation.
Created in partnership between the Google News Initiative (GNI) and AnyMind, the GNI Startups Lab India program is a 12-week program specifically tailored to the needs of news startups in India supporting high-quality reporting for local communities, niche audiences and/or previously underserved communities across India.
10 finalists joining the Google GNI India Cohort 2 will receive a sustainability audit based on key organisational metrics to diagnose financial, journalistic and operational health
The GNI Startups Lab is a testament to Google’s dedication to the growth and development of the news industry in India, ensuring that high-quality reporting reaches all corners of the country and serves diverse communities.
The Google GNI India Cohort 2 Workshops covers topics vital to accelerate a startup and, if applicable, scaling a digital news business, through:
- Revenue models and business development
- Product-market fit & tech enablement
- Leadership and team development
- Marketing & audience engagement
- Budgeting & planning
- Raising funds & pitching to investors
- Inspirations sessions by successful news startups founders
