AI First

The Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First aims to level the playing field for startup founders and communities to succeed, connecting them with the best of Google. By taking part in this program, you can connect with the right people, products and best practices to help your startup grow.

The accelerator targets technology startups using AI/ML. These startups should be based in Australia and demonstrate traction, ideally between Seed to Series A or equivalent. They are building a scalable product or service with a significant total addressable market and defensible growth model. There is commitment from the CTO to participate and engage in required program sessions.

Yes - please do! You will also need your technical co-founder to join the program to ensure the team benefits from the technical AI support provided.

The Accelerator is free of charge and equity-free.

This program is not suitable to non for profits, government agencies, businesses engaged in illegal activity or businesses which have existing employees of Google.

This is a ten-week program, delivered between September and December 2024.

The accelerator is a hybrid program, Google can support interstate applicants to attend Bootcamp days and Demo days in-person.

Startups participating in the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First may be eligible to receive credits from the Google for Startups Cloud Program to use towards their Google Cloud and Firebase usage, as well as other tailored benefits to help them grow their business. Participants can find eligibility and benefit details at the Google Cloud startup page.

Startups familiar or new to GCP will benefit from joining the program through personalised support from Google Engineers. Our aim is to help you solve your technical problems and to leverage the best possible cloud-based tools and services.

The AI First accelerator features a small cohort of AI startups that come together to tackle specific technical challenges that can help grow their businesses. Offerings include an in-person bootcamp at the Sydney Google office, 1-to-1 mentoring, group learning sessions, and sprint projects.

Tailored, expert help

Founders outline the top technical challenges for their startup, and are then paired with relevant experts from both Google and the industry to solve those challenges and grow their business.

Specialist deep dives

In addition to mentorship and technical project support, Google for Startups accelerators include deep dives and workshops focused on product design, customer acquisition, and leadership development for founders.

The accelerator offers internal Google experts and external industry leaders to help startups solve specific business and technical challenges. Mentorship usually consists of 1:1 sessions, held in-person, or virtual. Sessions focus on a specific business need which aligns with the mentor’s area of expertise. Mentors can offer support in a range of business areas, from helping founders to set and achieve goals, to scaling to new markets.

When you finish the AI First accelerator program, our goal is that you have solved specific technical challenges through the support of our Google engineers; and through the support of our people, product and growth mentors, feel empowered to pitch, raise funds and grow at scale.

At the end of the program, startups will take part in closing celebrations and Demo Day. Founders will also have the opportunity to share their startup/products with cohort-mates, Google senior leaders, members of our investor mentor network, and other teams around Alphabet. It is mandatory for each startup to participate in Demo Day. For inspiration, you can watch one of our global Demo Days here.