Facebook India to mentor makers of mosquito-killing drone, emotion health app and a digi financer

• Facebook India recently concluded the second cohort of it's Artificial intelligence accelerator program.
• The three startups are ftcash, Marut Drones and Innerhour.
• They will now receive a month-long mentorship from Facebook on go to market strategies.

Facebook India recently concluded the second round of it's Artificial intelligence accelerator program. The program which was in partnership with Telangana government's T-Hub saw three finalists who will further receive mentorship from Facebook on go-to-market strategies.

The three startups are ftcash, Marut Drones and Innerhour – who will receive “further support for a month of Go-to-Market strategies to increase funnel conversion rates, picking up the sales model, taking product to the entire market, and building company,” said Facebook.

“We are thrilled to play a key role in India’s start-up ecosystem, being a catalyst for future growth, using the potential of emerging technologies like AI, to solve the major problems India is facing today,” said Manish Chopra, director and head of partnerships at Facebook India.

ftcash

ftcash is a financial services company which helps micro-merchants and small businesses with digital payments and loans. The startup was founded in 2015 by Vaibhav Lodha. In May 2019, the startup had raised series A funding of ₹50 crores from global non-profit Accion, Dutch development bank FMO and IvyCap Ventures.

But the startup is not new to awards and accomplishments. ftcash was also awarded by Prince William and Kate Middleton as a winner at the UK Trade and Investment – Great Tech Initiative.

Marut Drones

The Hyderabad-based startup is working on a ground level problem. With its AI powered computer vision, the startup identifies mosquito infestation and hyacinth growth in urban ponds. Using drones, it then sprays repellents in the infected areas. It also recently partnered with Hyderabad’s municipal corporation.

The startup founded by Prem Kumar Vislawath in 2019, had earlier received an award from Nasscom – the emerging Technology Award for Drones and AI for Mosquito eradication and disease prediction for malaria and dengue.

Innerhour

Innerhour has an emotional health app, where with its psychological tools and services it helps in fighting the stigma and lack of access of qualified professionals in the mental health space. It was founded by psychiatrists Dr Amit Malik and Dr Shefali Batra. It had raised ₹3 crore in 2017.