India is rapidly emerging as a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence, and Google’s latest “AI First” accelerator program is making headlines by accelerating this growth. Launched in Bengaluru, the program has selected 20 innovative startups from a pool of over 1,600 applicants—marking a strategic milestone in the country’s AI journey.
The three-month accelerator, running from September to December 2025, is designed to empower startups building core AI products, with a special focus on agentic and multimodal solutions. These startups mirror the Indian government’s IndiaAI Mission priorities, pushing the boundaries in healthcare, fintech, climate tech, education, and more. This strategic alignment ensures that India’s AI ambitions are directly supported, with selected startups working in pivotal areas like agentic AI (45%), multimodal AI (30%), and foundational models with responsible AI practices (25%).
Some standout names in this cohort include Adya AI, with its full-stack agentic platform, Aignosis for webcam-based autism screening, and AiSteth, which is creating AI-powered stethoscopes for early heart and lung disease detection. Startups such as Dview and Mysa are reshaping fintech, while climate technology is being revolutionized by Resilience AI.
The support offered by Google goes far beyond mere funding. Participants will receive access to Google Cloud infrastructure and state-of-the-art Gemini models. Deep technical mentorship and robust go-to-market strategies will also be provided, helping these startups overcome hurdles and scale their impact rapidly. The program’s holistic approach includes OKR-driven sessions, dedicated startup success managers, and exclusive opportunities for collaboration with Google engineers and industry leaders.
India’s AI startup landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth, with over 890 generative AI firms established by mid-2025 and cumulative sector funding reaching $990 million in the first half of the year. Google’s accelerator is playing a catalytic role as these startups gear up to showcase their breakthroughs at a grand Demo Day in December, attracting the attention of investors, venture capitalists, and technology stakeholders eager to harness the nation’s AI potential.
With Google’s support and a clear strategic alignment with national priorities, these startups are set to drive innovation, create global solutions, and contribute to India’s aspiration of building a $1 trillion digital economy by 2028. The “AI First” accelerator stands as a beacon for entrepreneurial excellence, marking an exciting chapter in India’s evolving tech narrative.
