Google has strengthened its commitment to India’s startup ecosystem by partnering with the AI Futures Fund (AIFF) and Accel Atoms—Accel India’s pre-seed program—to launch a specialised cohort dedicated to early-stage AI-first startups starting February 2026.
This initiative represents one of Google’s most significant pushes into India’s innovation landscape, following years of investment in digital infrastructure and local talent. The new Accel Atoms x AIFF cohort aims to empower emerging founders with capital, deep technical mentorship, and privileged access to cutting-edge Google DeepMind technologies, including Gemini, Imagen, and Veo.
Founders selected for the cohort will collaborate closely with engineers, product leaders, researchers, and industry experts from both Google and Accel. Startups will also benefit from Google Cloud credits, tailored technical assistance, and guidance on building, training, and scaling AI-native products. Additionally, select companies may receive equity investment opportunities from both Accel and Google, amplifying their growth prospects.
“At the AI Futures Fund, we believe India’s founders will play a leading role in defining the next era of global technology,” said Jonathan Silber, Co-Founder and Director of AIFF. “By increasing our investment in the region through this new cohort with Accel, we are helping this next wave of innovation be built responsibly on Google’s most advanced AI models.”
Applications are now open through the Accel India portal, with the cohort scheduled to begin in early 2026—encouraging India’s pre-seed founders to pursue ambitious, AI-driven ideas that can shape the future.
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