A joint Accel-Google initiative launches an investment and support program for early-stage AI startups with Indian roots or Indian-origin founders worldwide, leveraging Accel’s Atoms accelerator and Google’s AI Futures Fund to accelerate global competitiveness.

Applications for the 2026 cohort are open now and will close on January 26, 2026.

Founders will have flexible model options and can build with Gemini or other suitable AI models; there is no exclusive-use requirement.

The program update explicitly states there are no crypto or blockchain components, token incentives, or on-chain integrations.

Ownership details of the fund and startups are confidential, with no cap on the fund size and a commitment to invest in as many promising startups as possible.

Frontier startups are described as those with original thinking, agentic systems, and proprietary data solving deep, niche problems, not merely wrappers around Gemini.

There are no model restrictions, but Atoms requires at least one Gemini integration in the proposed solution.

Startups may use non-Google models when appropriate and are not constrained to Google-only solutions.

There is no exclusivity requirement; startups may leverage models from other providers such as Anthropic or OpenAI.

Google states clearly that participating startups are not required to use only Google models.

Analysts note potential broader impacts on AI-focused crypto markets and stock sentiment, with possible short-term price movements for AI tokens and related equities after the announcement.

The article credits inputs from ANI and notes the piece was first published on November 25, 2025.

Industry analysts say partnerships like this can help startups scale by combining capital with cutting-edge technology, though exact equity stakes remain undisclosed.

Beyond funding, the program offers personalized, bespoke support tailored to each startup’s needs.