Google Joins Accel to Turbocharge AI Founders with Atoms AI Cohort 2026
Accel and Google are partnering through Accel Atoms and Google’s AI Futures Fund to launch the 2026 AI Cohort. This is Google’s first program of its kind globally.
As part of this partnership, Accel and Google will co-invest in early-stage founders building frontier AI companies from day zero, combining Accel’s startup-building expertise with Google’s frontier research, infrastructure, and deep technical support.
The 2026 Atoms AI Cohort will support ambitious founders, each receiving up to $2 million in co-investment, one of the most ambitious AI funding commitments at the pre-seed stage for Indian & Indian-origin founders.
Learn more about the program & apply here on the Accel Atoms website.
Shared Commitment to Accelerating AI Innovation
This partnership brings together Accel’s global experience in helping founders scale groundbreaking companies and Google’s leadership in AI research and infrastructure. Founders selected for the program will gain access to an unprecedented stack of support: from capital and compute to mentorship and early access to Gemini and DeepMind models.
As part of this alliance, founders will also receive mentorship from global leaders, including Sergey Brin, and benefit from immersion programs in London and the Bay Area, connecting them with the global AI ecosystem.
India’s Expanding Role in the Global AI Landscape
The launch of this cohort comes as India’s AI ecosystem gains global momentum. Over the past decade, India has evolved from a services-led economy into a hub for product innovation, building companies that now compete globally. Its deep technical talent, the challenge of serving a billion users, and a culture of bold entrepreneurship together form a strong foundation for AI-led innovation.
Accel has long believed that India’s best founders can build globally competitive companies from day one. This will further accelerate the journey of bold founders leveraging local talent and insights while thinking beyond borders.
This collaboration follows Prosus joining Atoms X last month to support LeapTech founders developing next-generation companies at the intersection of science and engineering. Together, these partnerships reflect Accel’s mission to back founders early and connect them with global platforms that can accelerate their growth.
About the Program
Applications for the Atoms AI Cohort 2026 are open now at atoms.accel.com. To be eligible, founders must apply by January 26, 2026. The program begins in February 2026.
About Google’s AI Futures Fund
The AI Futures Fund supports frontier AI startups around the world, combining capital with early access to technology, infrastructure, and mentorship from Google and DeepMind teams. Its mission is to accelerate responsible AI innovation and help founders scale cutting-edge applications globally.
About Accel Atoms
Accel Atoms is Accel’s pre-seed and seed program for early-stage founders building for the next decade. The program provides capital, mentorship, and company-building support from Accel’s global network of investors and operators.
India’s AI story is now part of a larger global narrative — one where founders, investors, and technology leaders are building together from the earliest stages to shape the future of innovation.
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