Google and Accel launch $2M AI startup fund in India

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Google and venture capital firm Accel have announced a $2 million fund to support early-stage AI startups in India. The initiative aims to foster a new generation of Indian entrepreneurs building with artificial intelligence across sectors — especially those focusing on local, scalable solutions.

The program will provide equity-free grants of $150,000 each to ten startups. Beyond funding, the selected founders will also receive cloud credits, go-to-market support, and mentorship from Google experts and Accel’s network of advisors. The goal, according to both organisations, is to help young companies fast-track product development and commercialisation.

The fund is open to Indian startups in the pre-seed to seed stage, with a strong emphasis on innovation in AI-powered applications. Startups can apply until mid-January 2026, and winners will be selected after a shortlisting and evaluation process. Accel and Google will jointly assess applications based on technical merit, market relevance, and the startup’s vision for AI in India.

This fund is part of Google’s broader commitment to India’s digital ecosystem, including past initiatives like the Google for Startups Accelerator and its $10B digitisation fund. It also reflects Accel’s continued interest in backing disruptive founders at the earliest stages.

With India emerging as a hub for AI research and deployment, this fund presents a timely opportunity for founders to build world-class solutions from India, for India — and beyond.