India

Two guys discussing something in front of laptop.

India

3 months

Seed to Series A

Google for Startups Accelerator: India program offers three-month, equity-free accelerator programs for Indian technology startups between Seed to Series A.

Selected startups receive expert mentorship and support around AI/ML, Cloud, UX, Android, Web, Product Strategy and Growth. In addition to Google technical project support, Accelerator programs include deep dives and workshops focused on product design, customer acquisition, and leadership.

India

3 months

Seed to Series A

Applications are now closed

Check out the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First and Apps if you are interested in other programs in India.

About the program

Few men and a woman listening something. Woman in focus

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 for Startups Cloud program
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.

Entry Criteria

Group of people listening to something while smiling

Entry Criteria

Startups demonstrating traction, ideally between Seed and Series A stage
Startups based/headquartered in India
Building a scalable product with a significant total addressable market and defensible growth model
Deeply technical, leveraging technologies like machine learning and AI
Commitment from founder(s) and/or relevant people from startups to participate and engage in required program sessions
We are committed to building accelerator classes with great startups, and encourage applications from all qualified startups

Notable Alumni

Helping users self-manage stressors by blending AI-guided listening with professional expert support.

location_on Bengaluru, Karnataka

An AI enabled application suite developed by a diverse and expert team of scientists, researchers and designers.

location_on Bengaluru, Karnataka

ShareChat is a vernacular social network for the next billion internet users.

location_on Bengaluru, Karnataka

Niramai is a deep-tech startup addressing critical healthcare problems through automated solutions.

location_on Bengaluru, Karnataka

Drivezy offers self-drive cars, bikes & scooters on rent. Their mission is to be the one-stop solution to share everything.

location_on Bengaluru, Karnataka

Generative AI platform to revolutionize the way an organization delivers care to patients through the power of a Digital Care Assistant.

location_on Gurugram, Haryana

Building Largest Full Stack Asset Light, Tech Enabled shared electric mobility (eMaaS) Platform making delivery & Mobility affordable and Sustainable.

location_on Gurugram, Haryana

Video tech company that encapsulates an ecosystem of smart video editing tools using AI for all enterprise and individual content creators.

location_on Mumbai, Maharashtra

NestAway is India's fastest growing "Managed Home Rental Network" attempting to provide better rental solutions via design & technology.

location_on Bengaluru, Karnataka

Helping users self-manage stressors by blending AI-guided listening with professional expert support.

location_on Bengaluru, Karnataka

Meet our mentors

Shrinath V

Product Strategy Consultant & Coach

The Google for Startups Accelerator program will always be special to me since it provided a real launchpad for BabyChakra when we were just starting off. Getting unfiltered access to world class mentors across UI/UX, Product, Tech, AI & early access to Google launches for an early stage venture is invaluable.

Naiyya Saggi Founder of Babychakra

Frequently asked questions

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

What is the format of the program?

The accelerator program currently runs as a hybrid program. During the beginning of the program, we work with the startups selected into the accelerator and the anchor mentors to determine each startup’s challenges and support required from the program. Then these startups will go through an intensive 1-week long in-person Bootcamp around topics such as Product, Design, Technology, People & Growth, followed by the OKR (Objective Key Results) workshop to define their objective for the next 3 months.

The next two months of the program is all about supporting startups executing these objectives by providing access to our global network, 1:1 mentorships and 1:many sessions on demand virtually. The startups will also be paired with a dedicated Startup Success Manager (SSM) from Google to help startups get the best of Google - its people, network, thought leadership, and technology.

The graduated startups will be showcased through an in-person Demo Day with Google teams, mentors, VCs, media and different stakeholders from the Indian startup ecosystem. The engagement with the graduated startups will be continued through the Alumni program & network.

When will the program run?

Who should apply for the Google for Startups Accelerator: India?

How will startups be chosen?

We are looking for Indian startups that are solving problems using advanced technology like AI/ML or data in healthcare, education, finance, media & entertainment, gaming, enterprise & other industries and that can scale globally.

We review the completed applications from the startups in parallel to the application phase to check their eligibility for the accelerator program. The eligible applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts/program team and shortlist 40-60 startups for the interview/pitch session to evaluate the team, problem, solution and scalability. Then the shortlisted startups from the interview/pitch phase will be reviewed by the selection board for the final list. The final list of startups will receive the program contract to sign for the official announcement.

Note: All incomplete applications after the application deadline will be ineligible.

What is the difference between Launchpad and Google for Startups Accelerator?

For over five years, Google has operated its Launchpad Accelerators which reach entrepreneurs in over 40 countries and include some of the most successful startups in the world in its global portfolio. Towards the end of 2019, all Launchpad Accelerators were renamed to Google for Startups Accelerator to simplify Google's startup offerings.

Are there other programs available in the region?

Will the accelerator be virtual or in-person?

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

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