Google and Accel have discussed defining a long-term strategic partnership. Together, they will make equity investments in high potential, early-stage startups in India’s fast emerging artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem. Through Accel’s Atoms program, the initiative would connect these early-stage startups with up to $2 million in funding. Both companies will contribute up to $1 million each to support founders in India and the Indian diaspora who are dedicated to creating AI products from the ground up.
The Indian market is changing quickly at the moment. Its user base for internet and smartphones is the world’s second-biggest, after China. India has the world’s largest pool of engineers. Because of this, it has become an exhilarating hotbed for innovation, especially in the realm of AI.
Jonathan Silber, co-founder and director of the Google AI Futures Fund, highlighted the partnership’s significance during a conversation with TechCrunch. He added that it is important to ensure this creates the next wave of AI innovation coming out of India.
“India has an incredible history of innovation, and we firmly believe that its founders are going to be playing a leading role in the next generation of AI-led global technology.” – Jonathan Silber
The joint collaboration offers founders extensive resources. Each startup selected for the program will get up to $350,000 in compute credits. These credits are applicable across Google Cloud, Gemini, and DeepMind. You’ll get exclusive sneak peeks of new, cutting-edge models and application programming interfaces (APIs). You’ll have a chance to discover cutting-edge features from Gemini and DeepMind.
Silber added that it’s critical to do this hand in hand with local leaders who know the Indian market inside and out.
“This is our attempt to work with the market leader in the space who knows the country incredibly well, that can get us talking to earlier stage founders at an early informative stage, that can move the needle.” – Jonathan Silber
Accel’s Atoms program has had an outsized effect, helping over 40 companies. In all, these four companies have collectively raised over $300 million in subsequent follow-on funding. Accel and Google have joined forces to forge an even more potent partnership. Together, they will work to build solutions at scale that will maximize impact for millions of people, all over India.
Our 2026 cohort will focus particularly on founders who are innovating in AI from day one. Prayank Swaroop, a representative of Accel, noted that the initiative is not merely about acquiring new cloud customers but rather about contributing to meaningful innovations.
“In terms of KPIs, our objective is simply to see the next wave of innovation in the AI space coming out of India.” – Prayank Swaroop
As part of this partnership, Google will become a material presence on the cap tables of startups funded through this initiative. This commitment is another indicator of Google’s determination to build lasting partnerships with the new, disruptive players in India’s AI ecosystem.
Accel, which recently joined Prosus as co-investor in Atoms X. This unique public-private partnership is part of an expanding movement, where strategic collaborations drive startup development. Google has also put some other Indian startups in the driver’s seat, including investing directly in companies such as Toonsutra and STAN. Moreover, it has backed other companies like Replit and Harvey with its AI Futures Fund.
Silber accepted that it is an interesting time with many technologies emerging that are ripe for startups. He pointed out where Google’s technology has a real opportunity to shine. The partnership gives a lot of flexibility and doesn’t require the use of Google models exclusively.
“Sometimes, Google’s technology is the best. Other times, you’ll see Anthropic or OpenAI. So, we’re not putting firm requirements that say you can only use Google’s models.” – Jonathan Silber
The collaboration between Google and Accel marks a significant step toward nurturing India’s potential as a leader in AI development. By providing entrepreneurs capital, resources, and mentorship both AXA and Plug and Play are hoping to enter these fast-growing industries where great ideas are born.