Google has partnered with the MeitY Startup Hub to launch the Google for Startups AI Academy India 2024 program, aiming to accelerate the AI startup ecosystem in India. In line with the IndiaAI Mission, the initiative seeks to support Indian startups, providing mentorship, resources, and infrastructure to help them harness the potential of AI. Recently, Google partnered with the MeitY Startup Hub to empower 10,000 Indian startups on their AI journey. According to a recent NASSCOM report, India's AI ecosystem has experienced a 3.6X growth in startups since 2023.
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Google for Startups AI Academy India 2024
"This surge encompasses all areas, from foundational models to innovative applications and services poised to transform industries," said Farish CV, Program Manager of Google for Startups Accelerator, India.
The program, running from November to December 2024 across seven Indian cities, will assist early-stage startups in leveraging AI in sectors such as healthcare, climate, agriculture, education, financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and public infrastructure (including DPI).
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Eligibility and Benefits for Participating Startups
Google has invited startups up to Pre-Series A with a minimum viable product (MVP) to apply, offering benefits such as cloud credits worth up to USD 350K, expert-led workshops on responsible and generative AI, and one-on-one mentoring.
The program is supported by the MeitY Startup Hub and hosted in partnership with Kerala Startup Mission, T-Hub and MATH, IHFC-IIT Delhi, NSRCEL IIM Bangalore, SINE IIT Bombay, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, and IIMA Ventures. Google is also collaborating with NASSCOM AI and People+AI to establish strategic alignment for the program.
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Support System for Indian Startups
This initiative is part of Google's three-tiered support system for Indian startups, which also includes the Startup School for early-stage guidance, AI Academy, and the GFS Accelerator for growth-stage support.
