AI
Google and Accel join forces for world’s first AI cohort — Indian founders to get $2 million each!
Bengaluru/IBNS: Accel and Google have announced a landmark partnership to launch the 2026 AI Cohort under the Accel Atoms programme, powered by Google’s AI Futures Fund.
The collaboration, which marks Google’s first programme of its kind globally, aims to accelerate India’s next wave of frontier AI startups.
As part of the tie-up, both companies will co-invest in early-stage founders building transformative AI products from the ground up, combining Accel’s startup-building expertise with Google's frontier AI research strength, cloud infrastructure and deep technical support.
Selected founders will be eligible for up to $2 million in co-investment, making this one of the most ambitious pre-seed AI funding opportunities available to Indian and Indian-origin founders.
Shared Commitment to Accelerating AI Innovation
The partnership brings together Accel’s global track record of helping founders scale category-defining companies and Google’s leadership in AI research and infrastructure. Startups in the cohort will receive an unprecedented level of support—capital, compute infrastructure, mentorship, and early access to leading AI tools, including Gemini and DeepMind models.
Founders will also gain mentorship from global leaders, including interactions with Google co-founder Sergey Brin, and participate in immersion programmes across London and the Bay Area, giving them exposure to global AI ecosystems.
India’s Expanding Role in the Global AI Landscape
The launch aligns with India’s fast-growing reputation as a global AI hub. Over the past decade, India has evolved beyond a services-driven tech economy to a major centre of product innovation, backed by a strong technical talent pool and the scale of serving a billion users.
Accel says it believes Indian founders are now positioned to build globally competitive AI companies from day one, with this partnership set to further accelerate the journey of entrepreneurs leveraging India’s engineering talent and global ambition.
The Google partnership follows Prosus joining Atoms X last month to support LeapTech founders developing next-generation companies at the intersection of science and engineering. Together, these alliances reflect Accel’s mission to back founders early and connect them with global platforms that can catapult their growth.
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