Kaggle effect: Google launches a new, machine learning startup competition

Barely few days after acquiring data science community Kaggle, Google has launched a machine learning competition for startups that are taking an innovative approach to AI.

The competition will be organised in partnership with seven venture capital firms that include Sequoia, KPCB, GV, Data Collective, Emergence Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and Greylock. Besides, Data Collective and Emergence Capital, plan to contribute $500,000 each to the winning startup.

The winner of the “Build with Google” prize will receive an impressive $1 million in GCP credits. They will also get an opportunity to engage with engineers at Google Cloud and 10 G-Suite seats for 12 months. The runner-up, on the other hand, will receive much the same stuff, but with 500,000 half the GCP credits. Other finalists will get $200,000 GCP credits and the same G Suite license deal.

There are no particular criteria, and Google is targeting companies across all verticals, including healthcare, energy and retail. In the end, what matters is the uniqueness of their underlying machine learning implementation. Traditional venture criteria like the ability to scale, the existence of product market fit and the skill set and preparedness of teams will also be in play.

Meanwhile, only startups that have raised less than $5 million can apply. And of course, they have to be incorporated in the US. Application closes on April 16th.