Google and the Media Lab Bayern launch "Startup Lab

It is the fourth of its kind worldwide. As of now, startups in the media sector can apply for the program.

After Brazil, Latin America and North America, a so-called "Startup Lab" is now coming to Europe: The Google News Initiative (GNI) is launching the GNI Startup Lab for Europe together with the Media Lab Bayern and the European Journalism Centre (EJC) to support startups in the media and news sector. The program focuses primarily on locally addressed consumers who do not find their realities of life reflected in traditional media.

The program is divided into three phases, start-ups can apply until September 20. The conditions are that the company must be based in a European country, have a gross turnover of half a million US dollars and have been in existence for at least six months. In the first phase, the start-ups will receive support in focusing their business model and team, after which the focus will be on expanding the target audience and improving the marketing strategy. The last phase is about sustainability and scalability of the business model.

Ten start-ups can participate in the program, and all phases are to run remotely. There will be a "Start-up School", which all teams will attend, after which they can choose from workshops, events and coaching sessions. Spread over six months, eight hours per week are estimated for the program. Anyone with questions can sign up for a Q&A session on August 3.