Backing Indian Founders with Global Ambition: Announcing our AI 2025 Cohort & Introducing Accel Atoms X

Ambition is borderless.

Indian-origin founders are trying to change the world from Bengaluru to London to Silicon Valley.

And we don't want to wait for them to come to us. We're going to them.

Starting 2025, Accel Atoms is going global.

Our early-stage scaling program is now open to Indian and Indian-origin founders anywhere in the world through two tracks:

• AI: for startups building across the AI stack.
• Accel Atoms X: for bold, paradigm-shifting ideas that reimagine the human experience.

Applications are open year-round for AI founders based in India, as well as those of Indian heritage building globally - including those educated in India and the ones who have since moved abroad.

Why Now

Since launching Atoms in 2021, we've backed 40+ early-stage startups over four years. One thing's become clear: world-class companies are being built by Indian founders everywhere-and they need world-class early-stage support. By opening up globally, we're deepening our commitment to Indian-origin founders with big ideas and giving them a true head start with key cross-border advantages in areas such as mentorship, hiring & GTM support.

Atoms AI: Build Faster, Scale Smarter

Our third dedicated AI cohort will be led by Prayank Swaroop, Anand Daniel, Anagh Prasad, and Sarthak Singh.

We're looking for early-stage startups by Indian & Indian-origin founders using AI to solve valuable business problems or to build tools for the AI development stack. From agents for enterprise workflows to frameworks for LLM testing-we're excited to back AI-native ideas being built from anywhere.

Founders selected for Atoms AI get:

• Up to $1M in funding
• $5M+ in perks from OpenAI, Anthropic, AWS, Google, Stripe & more
• Hands-on mentorship from global AI operators
• Co-investor access through Accel's network

We're also excited to announce our 3 companies from the 2024 AI Cohort:

• Revvolution AI: Rev Ops AI Agents that proactively improve data hygiene, broken revenue processes, and revenue-critical insights.
• Zingle: Making databases generative AI-ready. Zingle automatically generates and maintains data documentation so that AI agents operate as experienced data team members.
• BPRHub: Redefines compliance for manufacturers, enabling faster, smarter, and more efficient production. It automates compliance and streamlines quality processes, so you can bring exceptional products to market with confidence.

Rishi Raughav, founder of Revvolution AI (AI cohort 2024), articulated the Accel Atoms advantage: "You're in the same room as people who have been building companies for the last 15 to 20 years. And the kind of energy that you get from there: it's like you're absorbing things even without realizing it. If you are developing or building something in AI or high-tech, you definitely need to be in Accel Atoms. They bring in the 'best brains' who have witnessed paradigm shifts from SaaS to AI and have seen companies scale. Being on their radar from an early stage is crucial."

Our four companies from our 2024 Bharat Cohort are in stealth and will be announced at a later date.

Atoms X: Backing LeapTech

Atoms X is a new track led by Pratik Agarwal that's built to back LeapTech breakthroughs.

We define LeapTech as innovations that radically improve the human experience through novel products, technologies, or business models. These are ideas that take years to build, and demand early, conviction-led support.

Accel has already partnered with LeapTech startups like Posha, Sarla Aviation, Accelequant, Wiom, and Haber.

Atoms X offers:

• Up to $1M in funding as equity or a convertible note
• Connections with LeapTech founders in our network
• Workshops on narrative & commercialization
• Targeted introductions to top minds in science, R&D, and venture

‍Apply Anytime, Together

Great ideas don't follow schedules, and neither do we.

Applications to Atoms AI and Atoms X are open all year. We've redesigned the process to be collaborative so that co-founders can apply together.

Whether you're at idea stage, MVP, or pre-revenue, we're ready to build with you when you are.

Accel Atoms remains in perpetual beta-constantly evolving to serve founders better.

Apply now and follow us on X and LinkedIn for the latest updates on programs and events.

Let's build, from anywhere.