On Tuesday, Google opened applications for its much-anticipated Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First India 2025 program. The initiative seeks to nurture and empower Indian startups that focus on Artificial Intelligence, particularly those innovating in Agentic AI and Multimodal AI. Google has called on eligible startups—from Seed to Series A stages—to apply before the June 30 deadline.
This program aims to supercharge India’s dynamic AI startup ecosystem. Google has partnered with MeitY Startup Hub, a government-backed initiative, to align with national digital ambitions under the IndiaAI Mission. The initiative underlines Google’s commitment to fueling technological growth in India and fostering AI-first innovations capable of shaping global markets.
Focusing on India’s Emerging AI Ecosystem
India’s technology landscape continues to evolve rapidly. The country boasts a strong talent pool of engineers, entrepreneurs, and researchers. Coupled with rising investment, policy support, and government-backed missions like IndiaAI, AI is fast becoming the cornerstone of the country’s digital transformation journey.
Google recognizes this momentum. The company pointed out that India’s Generative AI market could cross USD 17 billion by 2030. Moreover, AI will serve as a crucial pillar in India’s journey to becoming a USD 1 trillion digital economy by 2028. Google aims to accelerate this vision by guiding startups that hold the potential to revolutionize sectors like healthcare, education, fintech, agritech, and more.
What Startups Can Expect from the Program
Google designed the AI First India 2025 accelerator to give early-stage startups access to the kind of expertise and tools usually reserved for much larger enterprises. This year’s cohort will benefit from personalized, hands-on mentorship delivered by specialists across Google’s most influential divisions—DeepMind, Cloud, Android, Play, Ads, and others.
Each startup will receive tailored one-on-one guidance, driven by their specific business goals and growth stages. Dedicated Startup Success Managers will work closely with them throughout the program, ensuring continuous support and development.
Startups will also gain access to exclusive AI resources such as:
- Free Cloud TPUs for high-performance AI workloads
- Google Cloud credits for eligible companies
- Cutting-edge AI models and APIs, including Gemini, Gemma, Imagen, and Veo
This arsenal of tools will allow startups to build, deploy, and scale transformative AI products with real-world impact. Engineers and product teams will work directly with Google experts to solve complex technical challenges and integrate state-of-the-art AI models into their applications.
A Proven Track Record of Impact
The 2024 edition of the accelerator program saw tremendous success. Participating startups collectively raised over USD 61 million in funding. Google helped these startups expand their reach by integrating their offerings into the Google Cloud Marketplace, opening new avenues for customer acquisition and global distribution.
The accelerator also enabled product innovation. With direct access to technical mentors and the latest AI technologies, startups refined their platforms, optimized performance, and enhanced their go-to-market strategies.
Google pointed out that the program not only helped startups grow in scale but also boosted their visibility and credibility in the venture capital community. This led to strategic partnerships, pilot deployments, and stronger investor confidence.
Encouraging AI Innovation That Aligns with National Goals
India’s AI journey is no longer a theoretical aspiration—it’s a national imperative. The IndiaAI Mission, launched by the Government of India, sets out to advance research, strengthen compute infrastructure, and democratize access to AI tools.
The Google for Startups Accelerator aligns with these objectives. By supporting entrepreneurs working in Agentic AI—which powers autonomous agents that can learn and act in complex environments—and Multimodal AI—which understands and synthesizes inputs like text, images, and video—the program promotes innovation that is not only futuristic but also socially relevant.
These technologies can power solutions across sectors like:
- Healthcare: Diagnostic tools, predictive care, and AI-assisted clinical decisions
- Education: Personalized learning paths, automated tutoring, and language support
- Finance: Intelligent fraud detection, customer service bots, and risk assessment
- Agriculture: Crop monitoring, supply chain optimization, and weather prediction
- Governance: Smart citizen services, real-time data analytics, and transparency tools
By encouraging such diverse applications of AI, the program ensures that the benefits of innovation reach all corners of the economy.
How to Apply
Startups interested in applying for the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First India 2025 can submit their applications via the official program page. The deadline for submission is June 30, 2025.
To qualify, a startup must:
- Operate in the AI domain, preferably within Agentic or Multimodal AI
- Be based in India
- Be in Seed to Series A funding stages
- Demonstrate a scalable and impactful use of AI technology
- Show readiness to collaborate, innovate, and grow through expert guidance
Shortlisted startups will undergo an evaluation process where Google will assess their product, team capabilities, and potential for positive societal and economic impact.
The Future of AI in India Is Now
India stands at the cusp of an AI revolution. With a booming startup ecosystem, strong government backing, and growing investor confidence, the country is poised to become a global AI powerhouse.
Programs like the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First India 2025 serve as key enablers. By offering mentorship, cutting-edge tools, and strategic exposure, Google empowers Indian entrepreneurs to build solutions that are innovative, inclusive, and globally competitive.
AI-driven startups now have the chance to shape the future—not just of India’s digital economy, but of the world. Those who get selected for this program will not only receive unparalleled support but will also join a community of changemakers leading India’s AI-first revolution.