AI for Energy

North America - Hybrid

Ten weeks

Pre-Seed to Series A

This program focuses on grid optimization, demand flexibility and energy solutions for customers, including utilities and commercial entities. By supporting advancements in areas such as interconnection queues and carbon-aware infrastructure, the Accelerator aims to drive innovation, sustainability, and reliability in the energy landscape.

North America - Hybrid

Ten weeks

Pre-Seed to Series A

Applications are now open

Up to Series A funded startups are invited to apply

Apply Now

About the program

A global series of programs
Each cohort of 10-15 startups comes together to tackle technical challenges that can help grow their businesses through a mix of remote and in-person, 1-to-1, group learning sessions, and sprint projects.

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

Specialist deep dives
Accelerators include deep dives and workshops focused on product design, customer acquisition, and leadership development for founders.

Cloud program offerings
Eligible participants receive up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits, dedicated support from startup experts, technical training and access to key industry events. Find out more.

Additionally, participants are eligible to receive 30 days of free Cloud TPU access through the TPU Research Cloud program to accelerate their open-source machine learning research. Find out more.

Key benefits

Equity-free support

Equity-free support: For duration of program.
Mentoring

Dedicated mentoring from Google teams.
Training

Exclusive invitations to technical bootcamps hosted by Google where offered.
Access to experts

Access to Google's network of industry experts.
Google product credits

Eligible startups receive product credits.
Early access

Access to new Google products and tools as relevant.
Strategic support

Support on company and product strategy.
Technical project partnership

Work hand in hand with experts from Google on your biggest tech challenges.
Founder Network

Connect and learn from fellow founders, and access a peer-to-peer support network.

Entry Criteria

A group of people working on laptops while seated in a modern indoor swing.

A bespectacled man with a smile on his face is talking with a woman.

Entry Criteria

Startups demonstrating traction, ideally between Pre-Seed and Series A stage
Building a scalable product or service with a significant total addressable market and defensible growth model
Deeply technical and leveraging AI and/or machine learning
Commitment from CEO and CTO and/or technical roles to participate and engage in required program sessions
Building solutions related to: 1) Utilities, grid operators, and energy developers, 2) Demand flexibility and optimization, or 3) Energy solutions for industrial, commercial, residential, and cloud customers (see FAQ’s below for additional details)
We are committed to building accelerator classes with great startups, and encourage applications from all qualified startups

Key dates

March 6, 2025

Applications Open

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June 30, 2025

Applications Close

Add to calendar
September, 2025

Program Kick-off
November, 2025

Demo Day
November, 2025

Graduation

Frequently asked questions

Who should apply to the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI for Energy?

The Accelerator program is best suited for AI/ML-focused Pre-Seed to Series A revenue generating tech startups that are headquartered in the United States and Canada. Selected companies should have a minimum of 5+ employees and the founder and appropriate team members must be available to join all program elements of their cohort. In order to ensure Google can provide meaningful value, startups should be building AI/ML technology in their product, service or operations.

What kind of solutions are a good fit for this Accelerator?

Solutions for utilities, grid operators, and energy developers - GETs, interconnection queues, transmission analysis, grid digitization and data access, siting, rate analysis, tariff summaries.
Solutions for demand flexibility and optimization - Demand response, VPPs, load aggregation, grid alerts, grid forecasting.
Energy solutions for industrial, commercial, residential, and cloud customers - Energy efficiency, battery optimization, carbon-aware infrastructure.

What is the format of the program?

The Accelerator runs for a period of ten-weeks with a mix of remote and in-person, 1-to-1, group learning sessions, sprint projects and mentorship. As part of the Google for Startups Accelerator, selected founders outline the top technical and business challenges facing their startup, and are then paired with relevant experts from Google to help solve those challenges. Participating startups receive deep mentorship on technical challenges with an emphasis on data, ML, AI, as well as connections to relevant teams from across Google. Additionally, curriculum will cover Cloud and tech, UX and Product, Growth, Sales & GTM, Leadership and setting OKRs. Learn more from founders in the program in this video.

The program concludes with a Demo Day where each team will be able to pitch to potential partners, customers and investors. Learn more here.

What if my startup is not based in North America?

Does the program culminate in any final event - like a pitch competition?

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 from a previous cohort, you can check our 2024 AI First Demo Day and watch Demo Day highlights.

Does Google maintain relationships with the founders who participate?

We like to support the ongoing journey of our Accelerator alumni. Upon graduation, founders will join our North American Accelerator Alumni Community with continued access to Google experts, events, early access programs and more.

Additionally, a big part of our Accelerator programming focuses on helping founders build impactful networks, so Google mentors often continue cultivating relationships with participants after the formal Accelerator program wraps. We also tap into alumni for speaking opportunities, ongoing mentorship and more.

What are the criteria to receive product credits, and what does "eligible for product credits" mean?

Back to Accelerators