Accel Atoms AI Cohort
Accel·United States
Three-month hybrid pre-seed programme for Indian and Indian-origin AI founders, investing up to $1M-$2M as equity or a convertible note alongside Google's AI Futures Fund, plus up to $350,000 in Google compute credits.
What you get
“We invest up to $1M- $2M in startups in the form of equity or a convertible note. Up to $2 million in funding per startup, with Accel and Google's AI Futures Fund co-investing. Up to $350,000 in compute credits across Google Cloud, Gemini, and DeepMind resources.”
Can you apply
Indian & Indian-origin founders building AI-first products for India and users worldwide. Location doesn't matter, whether you are in Bengaluru, Silicon Valley, London, or elsewhere. Builders across sectors, including developer tools, productivity, applied AI, creativity and entertainment. Founders at idea or prototype stage - traction is not mandatory. We support companies which have raised under $2M. Is company incorporation mandatory for applying? No. However, by the time selection is completed and you are selected, it is imperative you are incorporated to take on external investments. The Atoms program is most relevant for companies that are either at the pre-product or pre-revenue stage.
When
Open now
- Third AI Cohortopen, no deadline published
Past rounds
- Atoms AI Cohort 2026closed 26 Jan 2026
What Accel funds
Accel's pre-seed and seed platform Atoms backs Indian and Indian-origin founders wherever they are based, in small cohorts with capital, mentorship and the Accel network. The AI cohort is run with Google's AI Futures Fund and is Google's first such partnership globally.
Everything Accel funds →Details
Atoms AI is Accel's pre-seed AI cohort, run with Google's AI Futures Fund. Accel's figures differ by page: the AI cohort page says "We invest up to $1M as equity or convertible note", the FAQ says "We invest up to $1M- $2M in startups in the form of equity or a convertible note", and the partnership announcement says "the Accel Atoms and AI Futures Fund will co-invest up to $2M in each selected startup". The $1M-$2M range is recorded here, with the $2M ceiling being the Accel plus Google co-investment. Selected startups also get up to $350,000 in compute credits across Google Cloud, Gemini and DeepMind, early access to Gemini and DeepMind models, and access to 100+ Accel perks. Cohorts are 5-10 startups and run three months in a hybrid format. Atoms is an equity-backed programme but publishes no equity percentage. Applications for the third AI cohort are open now on a rolling basis; the 2026 cohort deadline has passed.