Indian artificial intelligence startups are entering a new, more mature phase,  transitioning from mere experimentation to developing products that have global  significance. Recognising this evolution, Google has broadened its initiatives aimed at  startups in India, providing a blend of skill development, mentorship, funding, and  market access to assist founders in scaling their ventures internationally. 

The tech giant is increasingly positioning itself as a facilitator of ecosystems, helping  startups transform their ideas into tangible products and those products into  sustainable, global enterprises. 

Empowering Founders Through Startup School 

At the heart of Google’s initiatives is Startup School 2025, which has trained nearly  90,000 founders across the nation. Impressively, over half of the participants hail from  Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, showcasing Google’s commitment to democratizing innovation  beyond the major urban centres. 

Ragini Das, Head of Google for Startups in India, emphasised that the programme  equips even non-technical founders with essential tools like AI Studio and DevLine,  enabling them to quickly prototype and validate their ideas. She pointed out that speed  is crucial in the early stages, as it influences how founders learn and adapt before  progressing to more advanced training. Building on this momentum, Google is set to  launch three more Startup Schools in 2026 to further expedite product development.

Accelerators and Practical Technical Guidance 

In addition to training, Google is enhancing its accelerator programmes that connect  startups directly with senior engineers from Google Cloud, Android, and DeepMind.  These accelerators are designed to tackle real-world technical challenges, enhance  scalability, and refine market strategies. 

Startups such as SpotDraft, which has slashed contract processing costs by nearly  80%, and Tunesutra, a platform for Indian-language webcomics, have already reaped  the benefits of this hands-on mentorship. Initiatives like Gemini Sprints offer intensive,  short-term support to help startups swiftly transition from development to deployment. 

Infrastructure and Community at the Hyderabad Hub 

Google’s Hyderabad-based Google for Startups hub is pivotal in this ecosystem,  providing founders with a dedicated space for innovation. The hub grants access to  mentorship, venture capital networks, and peer communities, fostering collaboration  and learning among startups while they develop products that can compete on a global  scale. 

Funding Support Enhanced by DeepMind Expertise 

To complement its training and accelerator efforts, Google has launched a $2 million  co-investment fund in collaboration with Accel. This fund aims to support early-stage AI  startups with impactful ideas, while also granting access to advanced models  developed by DeepMind. This combination of funding and infrastructure is designed to  empower startups to create transformative solutions more rapidly. 

One of the significant hurdles Indian startups encounter when expanding globally is the  “trust gap,” which can hinder their acceptance in international markets. Srinath V, a  Google Developer Expert, pointed out that even strong products may face challenges due to institutional and commercial barriers. 

He explained that Google’s endorsement can significantly alter perceptions. When  Indian founders approach global buyers with Google’s backing, their credibility receives  an immediate boost—facilitating their journey across the commercial divide and  enabling them to scale internationally. 

Cultivating the Next Generation of Global AI Leaders 

By integrating extensive founder training, in-depth technical mentorship, targeted  funding, and global credibility, Google is setting the stage for the next generation of  Indian AI startups. The emphasis is not solely on developing advanced technology but  also on empowering Indian founders to transform local innovations into enterprise ready, globally scalable businesses.