Why We’re Funding a Competition for Machine Learning Startups

Today we’re happy to announce that we’re teaming up with Google Cloud and Data Collective to launch the Machine Learning Startup Competition.

Early-stage startups focused on machine learning will compete for the chance to receive a $1 million investment funded by Emergence and Data Collective plus another $400K of credits for use on the Google Cloud Platform.

At Emergence Capital we believe strongly that machine learning will play a critical role in shaping and improving the way people work. One example of machine learning about which we’re especially bullish is the Coaching Networks, which harnesses machine learning to coach employees on how to do their jobs better in real time. Machines can learn the best practices  of workers over time, and share them widely within a workforce in the context of doing the work.

We’re proud to have partnered with two early leaders in the Coaching Networks: Chorus.ai helps sales teams learn what to say and what to avoid during conversations with potential customers to help close more deals; Textio helps recruiters write more effective job descriptions in order to attract more qualified candidates faster.

We’re also fond of this kind of competition because they’ve worked out well for us in the past. In 2008, we collaborated with Salesforce.com on a similar competition for startups building apps on the Force.com platform. The winner was a startup called Maxplore. After our investment, it rebranded as ServiceMax. And last year GE acquired it for nearly $1 billion.

You can learn more about the competition, including the full eligibility details and how to apply at its website. We’re eager to see how these young startups are using machine learning to shape the future of work.