Google accelerator program for ONDC: Tech giant Google (Google) has announced the launch of an accelerator program for Indian government-backed interoperable commerce network – Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) during a developer conference on 28 June.
Along with this, the company also announced the launch of several Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools with the aim of promoting new technological development and innovation among local developers in the country.
Ambrish Kenghe, Vice President, Google Pay said;
“The companies are launching an accelerator program for ONDC with the goal of supporting the growth of a rapidly growing network of digital sellers in India.”
Google Cloud in India will offer an accelerator program for ONDC, the central government’s ecommerce initiative, to help digital sellers build and grow their digital commerce operations.
Google ONDC accelerator programme: What will be the benefits?
Under this initiative, Google will look to open sourcing the ONDC infrastructure and ready-made implementation of the core API (application programming interface), primarily around issues such as ‘scalability’ and ‘security’, as well as the company’s own retail AI technology and PaLM API. Will also provide access to
Along with this, the company also announced during its first I/O Connect event in the country that Google Cloud will also launch a startup credit program, under which ONDC partner organizations can get up to $25,000. eligible to apply for the grant.
In addition, the company is also offering integration of ONDC and Google Maps, under which the ability to deliver orders through address descriptors will be made accurate and fast. Interestingly, this feature will be available in 25 cities for the first time in India, making it easier to find and interact with customer addresses through landmarks etc.
Why is it important?
Google has made this announcement at a time when the Government of India is expecting that the penetration of e-commerce in the country will increase by 25% in the next two years through the ONDC network.
Under this, a target has been set to connect 900 million buyers and more than 1.2 million sellers. The government aims to touch the ‘Gross Business Value’ figure of $48 billion.