Google has partnered with Accel in a first-of-its-kind collaboration for the Google AI Futures Fund, committing up to $2 million per startup to accelerate India’s next generation of AI companies. The joint investments will be deployed through Accel’s Atoms program, with both firms contributing up to $1 million each. The 2026 cohort will focus on founders in India and the Indian diaspora building AI products from day one.
The initiative targets India’s growing AI potential as global firms, including OpenAI and Anthropic, expand their presence in the country. Google and Accel aim to support startups developing applications across creativity, productivity, entertainment, coding, SaaS, and even foundational models.
Founders selected for the program will receive up to $350,000 in compute credits across Google Cloud, Gemini, and DeepMind, along with access to cutting-edge models, APIs, and mentorship from Google Labs, DeepMind researchers, and Accel partners. Participants will also join immersion sessions in London and Silicon Valley and benefit from global marketing channels and the Atoms founder network.
The partnership reflects Google’s broader commitment to India’s digital infrastructure, including multibillion-dollar investments, a planned 1-gigawatt AI data center, and support for ecosystem-wide AI adoption. The AI Futures Fund, launched earlier this year, has backed global startups such as Replit and Harvey and now marks India as its first regional collaboration.
