Improving Aviation, a Tampa startup inside Embarc Collective, is one of 20 recipients of the 2024 Google for Startups Founders Funds for Black and Latino entrepreneurs.
This is the first cohort exclusively comprised of artificial intelligence-focused startups, according to Google, advancing its commitments to AI and to helping diversity founders get capital.
Improving Aviation founder and CEO Rocio Frej Vitalle is one of the chosen recipients. Each founder will receive $150,000 in non-dilutive cash awards and $100,000 in Google Cloud credits. They will also have access to mental health resources and mentorship from Google experts in AI.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be part of the Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund,” said Vitalle in a release. “It comes at a time that is going to be pivotal for the team, and we are looking forward to the opportunities ahead with Google and its partners.”
Improving Aviation was started in 2020 to support the federal government with research and development, systems engineering, and modeling and simulation for integrating emerging technologies, according to its website. The company has been awarded contracts with NASA, the Department of Defense and NOAA for developing technologies that enhance field operations using physical models and AI in the last two years. Examples include using AI to prevent wildfires and diverting fast fashion from landfills.
“AI can enable startups to build transformative products and solve complex challenges, but founders need access to capital to realize this potential,” said Maya Kulycky, vice president of Google Research, in the announcement about the cohort. “Through the Google for Startups Founders Funds, we are proud to invest in promising Black and Latino founders who are leveraging AI technology to help address some of today’s most pressing issues. We are inspired by the groundbreaking work of these founders and their potential to shape the future of AI.”
Read more about this year’s recipients.
