Google launches machine learning competition with Data Collective, Emergence Capital

At its Google Cloud Next conference in San Francisco today, Google announced the launch of a machine learning startup competition, the winner of which will receive cloud credits and $1 million from well-regarded Silicon Valley venture capital firms. The program is open to startups in the U.S. that have raised less than $5 million and use machine learning software, in any industry vertical. Entrants' use of the Google Cloud Platform public cloud infrastructure is "encouraged but not required," according to the application form. The winning startup gets $1 million in Google Cloud Platform credits, which can cover the cost of computing and storage services as well as fully managed machine learning tools. Employees will get G Suite subscriptions, which includes Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, and other applications -- and Google engineers will help startup employees improve their machine learning models.