In a major push to strengthen India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, Google’s AI Futures Fund and venture capital firm Accel have joined forces to launch the Atoms AI Cohort 2026. The program aims to support early-stage AI startups by providing co-investments of up to $2 million per company. The collaboration is designed to help promising founders access both financial backing and technical resources to accelerate innovation.

Selected startups will benefit from Google Cloud credits, early access to Google’s cutting-edge AI models including DeepMind and Gemini, and hands-on mentorship from experts at both Google and Accel. The initiative covers a broad spectrum of AI applications, ranging from productivity and coding tools to creative platforms, entertainment solutions, and enterprise-focused AI products. The program is open to startups nationwide, with applications accepted until January 26, 2026.

This partnership reflects growing confidence in India’s AI talent, as investors recognize the potential for locally developed solutions to scale globally. By combining capital support with infrastructure access and expert guidance, the cohort aims to help startups overcome early-stage challenges and prepare for rapid growth. Accel and Google will also provide strategic guidance to navigate market expansion, regulatory requirements, and product development at scale.

Industry analysts see this as part of a larger trend of global tech giants investing in India’s AI sector, acknowledging the country’s vibrant startup ecosystem and highly skilled engineering talent. With the support of Google and Accel, the Atoms AI Cohort 2026 could pave the way for India to become a hub for AI-driven innovation, producing technologies that influence markets both domestically and internationally.

Through this initiative, Google and Accel are not only funding AI startups but also fostering a robust environment for experimentation, learning, and rapid deployment of new AI solutions in India.