Europe and Israel

A three-month virtual accelerator designed for tech startups in the region. This equity-free program supports startups using AI for energy transition via grid modernization, load flexibility, and energy affordability and competitiveness solutions for households and industries.

Europe and Israel

Two women engaged in a pleasant conversation.
Two women engaged in a pleasant conversation.
Europe and Israel - Hybrid
Three months
Pre-Seed to Series A+

Applications are now open

Up to Series A funded startups are invited to apply

About the program

A group of three people talking, one of whom is holding a tablet device.
Woman smiling and facing the camera.

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.

Google product benefits

Early access to AI products: Eligible participants receive Early Access Program and Trusted Tester benefits for Google’s AI products.

Cloud credits: Startups interested in utilizing Cloud credits during the Accelerator may apply here, subject to eligibility review and approval.

Cloud TPUs: Participants are eligible to receive free Cloud TPU access to accelerate open source machine learning research.
Find out more.

Key benefits

  • equity-free-support

    Equity-free support

    Equity-free support for the duration of the program.

  • mentorship-benefit

    Mentoring

    Dedicated mentoring from Google teams.

  • training-benefit

    Training

    Exclusive invitations to technical bootcamps hosted by Google where offered.

  • leadership-benefit

    Access to experts

    Access to Google's network of industry experts.

  • early access

    Early access to AI products

    Access new Google AI products and tools as relevant through Trusted Tester and EAP benefits.

  • product-credit-benefit

    Google product credits

    Eligible startups receive product credits.

  • strategic-support-benefit

    Strategic support

    Support on company and product strategy.

  • technical-project-partnership-benefit

    Technical project partnership

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

Entry Criteria

A person in the audience at an event giving their full attention to the speaker.
A smiling woman in a white shirt standing and looking off-camera.

Entry Criteria

  • Startups demonstrating traction, ideally between Pre-Seed to Series A+ stage with the HQ in Europe and Israel
  • Building a scalable product or service with a significant total addressable market and defensible growth model
  • Deeply technical, preferably leveraging technologies like machine learning and AI
  • Commitment from CTO and/or technical roles to participate and engage in required program sessions
  • Building solutions related to:
    1) Grid modernization and enhancement,
    2) Demand flexibility and optimization, or
    3) Energy affordability and competitiveness solutions for households and industries (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

  • May 4, 2026

    Applications Open

    Add to calendar
  • June 12, 2026

    Applications Close

    Add to calendar
  • September, 2026

    Program Kick-off

  • November, 2026

    Demo Day and Conference

  • December, 2026

    Graduation

Accelerator Alumni

Advisory Board

The accelerator sharpened our technology, clarified our GTM strategy, and unlocked new speed in execution. We’re now better equipped and more confident to scale globally.

Guilherme Studart CEO, Delfos Energy
Guilherme Studart
Guilherme Studart

Frequently asked questions

Do you take equity or a fee to be a part of this program?

The Google for Startups Accelerator is equity-free for all participating startups. Please note that we do require all founders (CEO and CTO) and appropriate team members to be available to join all elements of the program.

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

Startups must meet specific criteria to be eligible for Google product credit offerings. To learn more about the Google Cloud credit eligibility requirements, please visit the Google Cloud startup page.

Who should apply to the Google for Startups Accelerator: Europe and Israel

The accelerator program is best suited for AI/ML-focused Pre-Seed to Series A+ revenue generating tech startups that are headquartered in Europe and Israel. 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?

  1. Grid Modernization and Enhancement: AI solutions and grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) for transmission analysis, enhancing interconnection queues, grid digitization and data access, and optimizing permitting and power flow.
  2. Demand Flexibility and Optimization: AI solutions for advancing Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), load aggregation, flexible interconnection, demand response capabilities to manage high-stress periods on the grid.
  3. Energy Affordability and Competitiveness: AI solutions that reduce energy burdens for households, automate incentive discovery and claim verification (e.g., for efficiency renovation and heat pumps), and for industrial, commercial, residential, and cloud customers that improve energy efficiency, carbon-aware infrastructure and drive system-wide cost efficiencies.

What is the format of the program?

The Accelerator runs for a period of three months with a mix of remote and in-person, 1-to-1, group learning sessions, 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.

What if my startup is not based in Europe or Israel?

Although this program is specifically designed for startups based in Europe and Israel, programs for other regions are available on our Accelerator page here.

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 or an industry conference in the region. 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.

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 Google 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.

Is there a directory of past graduates?

Yes. You can view our alumni on the directory page.