Accel Launches Atoms 4.0 Program: Investing Up to $1 Million in AI and Bharat-Focused Startups

Accel Atoms 4.0 to invest up to $1 million in startups focused on 'Bharat' opportunity, AI

Accel has launched the fourth edition of its pre-seed scaling programme, Accel Atoms 4.0, offering up to USD 1 million in funding and perks worth over USD 5 million. The programme targets startups focused on AI and Bharat, inviting applications from September 16. Accel aims to support innovative solutions for middle-income households in Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural India.Global venture capital firm Accel on Wednesday announced the launch of Accel Atoms 4.0, the fourth edition of its pre-seed scaling programme, Accel Atoms, that offers chosen startups up to USD 1 million funding along with perks of over USD 5 million from Accel network partners. Accel Atoms 4.0 builds on the success of three previous editions, and is designed to make the journey as frictionless as possible for visionary founders and promising entrepreneurs operating in the two distinct cohorts of AI and Bharat, the VC firm said in a release. Accel Atoms 4.0 is inviting applications from two categories of pre-seed startups - those building for 'Bharat', and AI (Artificial Intelligence), it said. Applications for the programme open on September 16. Accel defines 'Bharat' as the middle-income households spread across Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural India. Startups at the pre-seed stage, including idea-stage and pre-product companies, are eligible to apply for this rigorous three-month hybrid programme. "Selected startups will receive up to USD 1 million in funding through equity or convertible note, and access perks worth more than USD 5 million from Accel's network partners," the release stated. Founders in Accel Atoms 4.0 will also have access to Accel's global community of over 200 founders, mentors and potential customers. Since its inception in 2021, Accel Atoms has supported 32 startups, which have collectively raised over USD 200 million so far, the firm said. Companies such DhiWise, Material Depot, Nymble, Ripik, Rigi, and Spendflo have been part of past editions of Accel Atoms. "The 'Bharat' opportunity is immense and we see multiple multi-billion dollar startups emerging from this opportunity. The top 20 per cent of the rural population has a higher monthly per capita expenditure or MPCE than about 50 per cent of the urban population - highlighting the substantial purchasing power that is often overlooked, " noted Anand Daniel, partner at Accel. "Innovative founders will leverage the infrastructural advancements in these regions to create scalable, economically feasible solutions tailored to Bharat's evolving needs. With Accel Atoms 4.0, we are excited to give founders the guidance, network of support, and capital to succeed at delivering solutions to the underserved audience in Bharat," he added. Prayank Swaroop, partner at Accel, said Accel Atoms focuses on giving Indian-origin founders globally the best foundations for success. "Accel has invested in over 27 early-stage AI companies by Indian-origin founders in the last two years. The Accel Atoms 4.0 AI cohort will have personalised one-on-one mentorship from global AI leaders of the Indian diaspora, and Accel's network of AI founders and senior level operators," Swaroop said. Accel Atoms, he added, is setting the stage to support Indian founders "to build AI from India, for India and for the world". For the AI cohort, Accel is looking for startups by visionary Indian-origin founders based anywhere in the world building companies that are using AI innovatively for business applications or building development tools for the AI ecosystem. This includes companies building compelling use cases across the AI stack from the foundational layer (small language models on the edge, data and models for modalities like video and robotics, and more) to the infrastructure layer (testing tools and frameworks, securing complex LLM-powered systems, among others) and application layer (core AI models and agents across use cases). For the 'Bharat' cohort, Accel is looking to back founders building for 'Bharat' across sectors, the release stated. The global VC fund is looking at emerging e-commerce companies (building efficient supply chains and the right customer experience), financial services startups targeting individuals or businesses in Bharat, healthcare platforms and solutions making healthcare accessible and affordable; ed-tech, upskilling and recruitment platforms, OTT and content platforms, and emerging Bharat-first brands. Accel has been operating in India since 2008, and its investments include BookMyShow, BrowserStack, Flipkart, Freshworks, Cure.fit, Mensa Brands, Myntra, Swiggy, Urban Company, Zetwerk and Zenoti.

Accel Launches Accel Atom 4.0 for Pre-Seed Startups in AI and Bharat

Accel's new program iteration promises up to $1 million in investment and over $5 million in perks from industry leaders like AWS, Google, and Stripe. Accel is strengthening its focus on pre-seed startups with the launch of Accel Atoms 4.0, a program aimed at supporting early-stage founders. The new edition, set to open applications on September 16, 2024, will feature AI and Bharat cohorts, building on the success of previous iterations. In Accel Atoms 4.0, AI-focused startups will benefit from mentorship in AI applications. According to Prayank Swaroop, Accel partner and leader of the AI cohort, the program aims to support Indian-origin founders globally, focusing on AI solutions ranging from small language models to LLM-powered systems. Currently, 70% of the Accel Atoms portfolio consists of founders building AI-focused solutions, with Accel having invested in over 27 AI startups in the past two years. Accel is looking for strong use cases across various layers of the AI stack, including small language models, data for modalities like video and robotics, testing tools, securing complex systems, and core AI models and agents. Accel's new program iteration promises up to $1 million in investment and over $5 million in perks from industry leaders like AWS, Google, and Stripe. The Bharat cohort, led by Anand Daniel, will target middle-income households in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, seeking founders with scalable solutions for e-commerce, financial services, healthcare, and more. The Bharat cohort is seeking startups that offer scalable, economically viable solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Bharat consumers. Sectors of interest include emerging e-commerce, financial services, accessible healthcare, ed-tech and upskilling platforms, OTT and content platforms, and Bharat-first consumer brands. Accel Atoms, which has supported over 32 companies raising $200 million collectively, offers more than just capital. The program provides startups access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and a supportive community. The program, designed in collaboration with xto10x, features a 12-week tailored curriculum to help startups achieve scale.

Accel Launches Accel Atom 4.0 for Early Stage Startups in AI and Bharat

Accel's new program iteration promises up to $1 million in investment and over $5 million in perks from industry leaders like AWS, Google, and Stripe. Accel is strengthening its focus on pre-seed startups with the launch of Accel Atoms 4.0, a program aimed at supporting early-stage founders. The new edition, set to open applications on September 16, 2024, will feature AI and Bharat cohorts, building on the success of previous iterations. In Accel Atoms 4.0, AI-focused startups will benefit from mentorship in AI applications. According to Prayank Swaroop, Accel partner and leader of the AI cohort, the program aims to support Indian-origin founders globally, focusing on AI solutions ranging from small language models to LLM-powered systems. Currently, 70% of the Accel Atoms portfolio consists of founders building AI-focused solutions, with Accel having invested in over 27 AI startups in the past two years. Accel is looking for strong use cases across various layers of the AI stack, including small language models, data for modalities like video and robotics, testing tools, securing complex systems, and core AI models and agents. Accel's new program iteration promises up to $1 million in investment and over $5 million in perks from industry leaders like AWS, Google, and Stripe. The Bharat cohort, led by Anand Daniel, will target middle-income households in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, seeking founders with scalable solutions for e-commerce, financial services, healthcare, and more. The Bharat cohort is seeking startups that offer scalable, economically viable solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Bharat consumers. Sectors of interest include emerging e-commerce, financial services, accessible healthcare, ed-tech and upskilling platforms, OTT and content platforms, and Bharat-first consumer brands. Accel Atoms, which has supported over 32 companies raising $200 million collectively, offers more than just capital. The program provides startups access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and a supportive community. The program, designed in collaboration with xto10x, features a 12-week tailored curriculum to help startups achieve scale.

Accel to invest up to $1 million in pre-seed startups in AI and Bharat - Times of India

MUMBAI: Venture capital (VC) firm Accel will invest up to $1 million in fledgling startups working in the artificial intelligence (AI) space and building for Bharat through its pre-seed scaling programme Accel Atoms. The VC firm defines Bharat as middle income households spread across tier two, three cities and rural India. For the AI cohort, Accel is looking for startups by Indian-origin founders based anywhere in the world building companies that are using AI innovatively for business applications or building development tools for the AI ecosystem.For the Bharat cohort, the company will back founders building for Bharat across sectors ranging from financial services to healthcare. "The Bharat opportunity is immense and we see multiple multi-billion-dollar startups emerging from this opportunity. The top 20 per cent of the rural population has a higher MPCE (Monthly Per Capita Expenditure) than 50 per cent of the urban population. This highlights substantial purchasing power that is often overlooked. Innovative founders will leverage the infrastructural advancements in these regions to create scalable, economically feasible solutions tailored to Bharat's evolving needs," said Anand Daniel, partner at Accel. Startups that will make it through the Atoms programme which is in its fourth edition will receive up to $1 million in funding through equity or convertible note, and access perks worth more than $5 million from Accel's network partners. Since its inception in 2021, Accel Atoms has supported 32 startups, which have collectively raised over $200 million so far.