North America
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
About the program
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
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Equity-free support
Equity-free support for the duration of the program.
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Mentoring
Dedicated mentoring from Google teams.
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Training
Exclusive invitations to technical bootcamps hosted by Google where offered.
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Access to experts
Access to Google's network of industry experts.
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Early access to AI products
Access new Google AI products and tools as relevant through Trusted Tester and EAP benefits.
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Google product credits
Eligible startups receive product credits.
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Strategic support
Support on company and product strategy.
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Technical project partnership
Work hand in hand with experts from Google on your biggest tech challenges.
Entry criteria
Entry criteria
- Startups demonstrating traction, ideally between Pre-seed and Series A stage
- Building a scalable product or service in AI for Energy with a significant total addressable market and defensible growth model
- Deeply technical, leveraging machine learning and AI for Energy applications
- Commitment from CTO and/or technical roles 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
Key dates
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September, 2026
Program Kick-off
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November, 2026
Graduation
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November, 2026
Demo Day
Accelerator Alumni
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Blumen expedites infrastructure projects using regulatory and geospatial data insights.
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Cedalio helps companies control energy costs and eliminate manual work.
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DaisyChain software manages energy for building revenue and savings.
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Derapi connects to distributed energy resources for data and control.
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Dili uses AI to accelerate new energy construction.
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Lod offers grid-aware energy intelligence that optimizes data centers for risks, costs, and compliance.
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Mercury Computing provides flexible utility interconnection for data centers, speeding time to power.
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Monalee builds AI OS for distributed home energy, solar, batteries, and EV chargers.
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Pebble turns AI clusters into efficient, low-carbon, grid-responsive power plants.
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Othersphere deploys sustainable infrastructure using a novel spatial economics platform.
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Pila builds a modular battery mesh for resilient, intelligent grid assets.
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Pravāh optimizes grid operations, cutting utilities' power costs using ML.
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Rock Rabbit is an AI platform for green building incentives.
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Salient uses AI and climate expertise for accurate long-range weather forecasts.
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Spark offers an AI planning and workflow tool for large-scale energy infrastructure developers.
Frequently asked questions
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.
1. Solutions for utilities, grid operators, and energy developers - GETs, interconnection queues, transmission analysis, grid digitization and data access, siting, rate analysis, tariff summaries.
2. Solutions for demand flexibility and optimization - Demand response, VPPs, load aggregation, grid alerts, grid forecasting.
3. Energy solutions for industrial, commercial, residential, and cloud customers - Energy efficiency, battery optimization, carbon-aware infrastructure.
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.
While this program is specifically for startups based in the U.S. and Canada, programs for other regions will be announced in 2026. For those in EMEA, expect an announcement about a similar program for startups based in the region. Additionally, you can find a full list of all programs offered around the world here.
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.
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.
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.
The Google for Startups Accelerator: North America 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.
Yes. You can view our alumni on the directory page.