Accel
पालो ऑल्टो में मुख्यालय वाली एक वैश्विक वेंचर कैपिटल फर्म, जिसके पास भारत के लिए समर्पित फंड है। यह फ्लिपकार्ट, स्विगी और फ्रेशवर्क्स में शुरुआती निवेश के लिए जानी जाती है, जिसने भारत के स्टार्टअप परिदृश्य को आकार दिया।
Accel at a glance
| Established | 1983 |
|---|---|
| Address | 886/A, Confident Electra, 17th E Main Road, opposite Koramangala Club, 6th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560095 |
| Programmes | 3 standing programmes · 1 open call right now |
| Stages supported | Idea, Prototype, MVP |
| Equity | 0 of 2 programmes that state a policy take no equity |
| Official website | www.accel.com |
Programs by Accel
1 open now · 1 past · Filter all programs
आगे क्या?
यह काफ़ी पहले बंद हुआ था और हमें नहीं पता कि यह फिर चलेगा या नहीं। "मुझे बताएँ" दबाएँ, चलने पर हम ईमेल करेंगे।
Schemes implemented by Accel
1 scheme — each groups the funding calls run under it.
Which Accel programme fits you
3 programmes compared by who they are for, the stage they accept, how long they run and what they cost.
By stage
- Idea
- Accel Atoms AI, Accel Atoms X, Accel Atoms 4.0 (AI and Bharat cohorts, 2024)
- Prototype
- Accel Atoms AI, Accel Atoms X
- MVP
- Accel Atoms 4.0 (AI and Bharat cohorts, 2024)
| Programme | Best for | Stage | Duration | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accel Atoms AIWith Google AI Futures Fund | Indian and Indian-origin founders building across the AI stack at pre-product or pre-revenue stage. | Idea – Prototype | Typically 3 months | — | Takes equity |
| Accel Atoms XWith Prosus Ventures | Indian and Indian-origin founders, including solo founders, at idea or prototype stage who will build full-time. | Idea – Prototype | — | — | Takes equity |
| Accel Atoms 4.0 (AI and Bharat cohorts, 2024) | Founders at idea, MVP validation or pre-revenue stage (2024 edition, closed). | Idea, MVP | — | — | — |
Track record
What Accel reports about its portfolio.
These figures are Accel's own, and Accel's pages do not always agree with one another on cohort sizes.
All figures self-reported — accel.com, as of Jul 2025.
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at Accel, separate from the funding calls above.
Accel's only standing route for early founders in India is Accel Atoms, run by its AI investment team. Atoms invests as equity or a convertible note, so it is an investment programme and not a grant. Check the Atoms website for whether a track is open before you apply.
Accel Atoms AI
AcceleratorA pre-seed cohort programme for early-stage AI founders, run by Accel's AI investment team, typically over three months.
Best for: Indian and Indian-origin founders building across the AI stack at pre-product or pre-revenue stage.
- Idea – Prototype
- Typically 3 months
- Takes equity
With Google AI Futures Fund
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
Accel Atoms AI is a pre-seed programme for founders building across the AI stack. It runs as a small, focused cohort, typically for three months, and is run by Accel's own AI investment team. The 2026 edition was run with Google's AI Futures Fund and is now closed. The programme site says later applicants are considered for future AI cohorts.
What you get
- An investment from Accel as equity or a convertible note, sized by stage, traction and fit with the cohort
- In the 2026 edition, co-investment from Google's AI Futures Fund and compute credits
- Access to Accel's network of founders, investors and industry experts
- A set of perks from Accel's network partners
Who can apply
- Founders based in India, and Indian-origin founders anywhere in the world
- Teams building anywhere in the AI stack
- Pre-product or pre-revenue companies are the best fit; an MVP is not required
- Companies that have raised only a limited amount of outside capital so far
- Incorporation is not needed to apply, but is needed before an investment closes
How selection works: Accel says it looks at the team, the idea and the market. The 2026 edition had a fixed application deadline, and five companies were chosen from a global pool of thousands of applicants.
How to apply: Fill in the application form on the Atoms website. Referred founders fill in the same form. This is not a cold-email route. When we checked on 7 October 2026 the application page showed an upgrade notice instead of a form.
Accel Atoms X
AcceleratorA sector-agnostic pre-seed track for mission-centric founders building breakthrough products, with Prosus Ventures matching Accel's investment.
Best for: Indian and Indian-origin founders, including solo founders, at idea or prototype stage who will build full-time.
- Idea – Prototype
- Takes equity
With Prosus Ventures
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
Accel Atoms X is a pre-seed track for mission-centric founders at the earliest stages, in any sector. Accel calls the kind of company it is looking for LeapTech: a breakthrough product, technology or business model. Prosus Ventures matches Accel's investment in every Atoms X startup. The first cohort of six companies was announced on 25 March 2026, chosen from over 2000 applications. Its pages give different cohort sizes for Atoms X, with one stating a smaller number than the six selected.
What you get
- An investment from Accel in the form of equity, matched by Prosus Ventures
- Access to Accel's network of founders, investors and industry experts
- A set of perks from Accel's network partners
Who can apply
- Founders based in India, and Indian-origin founders anywhere in the world
- Solo founders can apply, and co-founders can apply together
- Ideally at idea or prototyping stage, pre-product or pre-revenue
- Founders must be willing to build the company full-time
How selection works: Accel looks at the team, the idea and the market.
How to apply: Use the same Atoms application form on the Atoms website. Accel's July 2025 announcement says applications are open all year, although the first cohort was already announced in March 2026. When we checked on 7 October 2026 the application page showed an upgrade notice instead of a form.
A closed 2024 edition of Atoms with two thematic cohorts, AI and Bharat, since replaced by the AI and X tracks.
Best for: Founders at idea, MVP validation or pre-revenue stage (2024 edition, closed).
- Idea, MVP
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
Atoms 4.0 was announced on 10 September 2024, with applications opening on 16 September 2024. It had two thematic cohorts, AI and Bharat. It was open to founders at idea, MVP validation or pre-revenue stage. This edition is closed. Accel announced the AI and X tracks that replaced it in July 2025.
How to apply: This edition is closed. See Accel Atoms AI and Accel Atoms X for the current routes in.
News
- Accel Launches $550M India Fund As Startup Funding Stays Weakapacnewsnetwork.com · last month
- Accel closes $3.5B in new funds to back early-stage AI startups globallycryptorank.io · last month
- Accel raises $550 million ninth India fund, with deployment unlikely to begin in 2026ascendants.in · last month
- Tech3 | What N Chandrasekaran’s exit means for TCS, Tata Digital; Accel goes big on AI with $550M India fund; and morelinkedin.com · last month
- Accel raises $3.5B across four new funds for early-stage startupsapp.dealroom.co · last month
- Accel Raises $3.5 Billion to Invest in Emerging Global AI Startupsbloomberg.com · last month
Source: Google News aggregated
How to apply to Accel
Choose the right track
- Building an AI company at pre-seed: Accel Atoms AI, which looks at founders working anywhere in the AI stack.
- Building something new outside AI, or applying as a solo founder: Accel Atoms X, which is sector-agnostic and accepts solo founders.
- Already past pre-seed with revenue: Atoms is aimed at pre-product or pre-revenue companies, so it is probably the wrong door.
How applications work
- Applications go through the form on the Atoms website. Referred founders use the same form.
- There is no email inbox for pitches, so do not cold-email the team in place of applying.
- You do not need to be incorporated to apply, but you will need to be before an investment closes.
- The AI cohort had a fixed deadline in 2026. If you miss a cohort, later applications are considered for the next one.
- The application page was showing an upgrade notice instead of a form when we last checked, so confirm that the form is live before you draft anything.
How selection works
Accel says it looks at three things: the team, the idea and the market. The investment decision is made by Accel's own investment team, and Accel invests as equity or a convertible note. For Atoms X, Prosus Ventures matches Accel's investment.
What reviewers look for
- A strong founding team. Team comes first in Accel's list of criteria.
- A clear idea and market. You do not need a product or revenue, and an MVP is not required.
- Full-time commitment. Atoms X expects founders to build the company full-time.
- Fit with the track. AI founders should show where they sit in the AI stack. Atoms X founders should explain why their approach is a breakthrough in product, technology or business model.
About Accel
Accel एक वैश्विक वेंचर कैपिटल फर्म है जिसकी स्थापना 1983 में हुई थी और इसका मुख्यालय पालो ऑल्टो, कैलिफ़ोर्निया में है। यह फर्म संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका, भारत और यूरोप में फंड का प्रबंधन करती है, और शुरुआती चरणों में ही श्रेणी-निर्धारक कंपनियों की पहचान करने और उन्हें समर्थन देने का इसका एक मजबूत ट्रैक रिकॉर्ड है। Accel India, जिसे 2008 में लॉन्च किया गया था, भारतीय स्टार्टअप इकोसिस्टम में सबसे प्रभावशाली शुरुआती-चरण के निवेशकों में से एक बन गया है।
भूमिका
Accel एक सीड और शुरुआती-चरण के वेंचर कैपिटल निवेशक के रूप में काम करता है। यह फर्म पूंजी, रणनीतिक मार्गदर्शन और ऑपरेटर्स, अधिकारियों और सह-निवेशकों के वैश्विक नेटवर्क तक पहुंच प्रदान करती है। Accel के पार्टनर संस्थापक टीमों के साथ उत्पाद रणनीति, हायरिंग, गो-टू-मार्केट योजना और बाद के फंडरेज़िंग राउंड पर मिलकर काम करते हैं।
कार्यक्रम
Accel पारंपरिक एक्सेलेरेटर या इनक्यूबेटर कार्यक्रम नहीं चलाता है। इसके बजाय, यह सीड और सीरीज़ ए चरणों में सीधे स्टार्टअप्स में निवेश करता है, आमतौर पर शुरुआती चेक लिखता है और बाद के राउंड में भी निवेश करता है। भारत में, Accel विशेष रूप से एंटरप्राइज़ SaaS, कंज्यूमर इंटरनेट, ई-कॉमर्स, फिनटेक और फूड डिलीवरी में सक्रिय रहा है। यह फर्म सामुदायिक कार्यक्रम, संस्थापक मीटअप और वार्षिक शिखर सम्मेलन भी आयोजित करती है जो इसकी पोर्टफोलियो कंपनियों को एक-दूसरे से और संभावित ग्राहकों और भागीदारों से जोड़ते हैं।
उल्लेखनीय पोर्टफोलियो कंपनियाँ
Accel के भारत पोर्टफोलियो में देश की कुछ सबसे मूल्यवान प्रौद्योगिकी कंपनियाँ शामिल हैं: फ्लिपकार्ट (Walmart द्वारा अधिग्रहित), स्विगी (IPO), फ्रेशवर्क्स (Nasdaq पर IPO), और ब्लैकबक (Zinka Logistics)। विश्व स्तर पर, Accel फेसबुक, स्लैक, ड्रॉपबॉक्स और स्पॉटिफ़ाई में शुरुआती निवेशक था।
किसे लाभ होता है
भारत और विश्व स्तर पर प्रौद्योगिकी कंपनियाँ बनाने वाले शुरुआती-चरण के संस्थापक। Accel उन टीमों के लिए सबसे उपयुक्त है जिनके पास शुरुआती उत्पाद आकर्षण (product traction) है और वे एक ऐसे प्रमुख निवेशक की तलाश में हैं जो पूंजी और परिचालन विशेषज्ञता दोनों प्रदान करे। SaaS, फिनटेक, कंज्यूमर इंटरनेट और ई-कॉमर्स के संस्थापक Accel की निवेश अवधारणा (investment thesis) के साथ अच्छी तरह से मेल खाते हैं।
रणनीतिक प्रभाव
Accel ने अपने भारत फंडों में $3 बिलियन से अधिक का निवेश किया है और भारत के वेंचर इकोसिस्टम के निर्माण में एक मूलभूत भूमिका निभाई है। फ्लिपकार्ट और फ्रेशवर्क्स जैसी कंपनियों में इसके शुरुआती निवेश ने भारत को एक वैश्विक प्रौद्योगिकी हब के रूप में स्थापित करने में मदद की। यह फर्म देश में सबसे सक्रिय शुरुआती-चरण के निवेशकों में से एक बनी हुई है, जिसके पोर्टफोलियो में कई क्षेत्रों में सैकड़ों कंपनियाँ शामिल हैं।
Who they work with
Stage
Sectors
Technology
Tags
Frequently asked questions about Accel
What does Accel do?
Accel एक वैश्विक वेंचर कैपिटल फर्म है जिसकी स्थापना 1983 में हुई थी और इसका मुख्यालय पालो ऑल्टो, कैलिफ़ोर्निया में है। यह फर्म संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका, भारत और यूरोप में फंड का प्रबंधन करती है, और शुरुआती चरणों में ही श्रेणी-निर्धारक कंपनियों की पहचान करने और उन्हें समर्थन देने का इसका एक मजबूत ट्रैक रिकॉर्ड है। Accel In…
Where is Accel located?
Accel is located at 886/A, Confident Electra, 17th E Main Road, opposite Koramangala Club, 6th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560095.
What programs does Accel run?
Accel currently has 1 open programme: Atoms X. 1 further programme has run in the past.
Which Accel programme should I apply to?
It depends on how far along your startup is. Idea stage: Accel Atoms AI, Accel Atoms X and Accel Atoms 4.0 (AI and Bharat cohorts, 2024). Prototype stage: Accel Atoms AI and Accel Atoms X. MVP stage: Accel Atoms 4.0 (AI and Bharat cohorts, 2024). Check the programme's own eligibility before applying — several programmes are sector-specific.
Does Accel take equity?
It depends on the programme. and undefined take no equity, while Accel Atoms AI and Accel Atoms X take equity.
What sectors does Accel support?
Accel works with startups in AI/ML.
What stage of startup does Accel support?
Accel supports startups at the Ideation and Validation stages.
How do I apply to Accel?
- Building an AI company at pre-seed: Accel Atoms AI, which looks at founders working anywhere in the AI stack. - Building something new outside AI, or applying as a solo founder: Accel Atoms X, which is sector-agnostic and accepts solo founders. - Already past pre-seed with revenue: Atoms is aimed at pre-product or pre-revenue companies, so it is probably the wrong door.
When was Accel founded?
Accel was founded in 1983. It operates as a vc / investor.
Similar incubators
More organisations supporting startups in this region or sector.
UC Irvine
Top UC campus in Silicon Valley's orbit with the Beall Applied Innovation center supporting deep-tech and biotech startups.
Salesforce
World's leading CRM company with Salesforce for Startups, Trailhead, and Salesforce Ventures for ecosystem support.
Deel
Global HR and payroll platform for hiring and paying teams in 150+ countries
XPRIZE Foundation
World's leading incentive prize foundation running multi-million dollar competitions for breakthrough technology solutions.
NVIDIA
Global tech giant running the Inception program, a free platform offering GPU credits, tools, and investor access to AI startups.
AIC STPINEXT Initiatives
STPI's Section 8 company for startup activity — runs AIC STPI Bengaluru with NITI Aayog and oversees STPI's Centres of Entrepreneurship.
Recommended grants & schemes
Other open programmes matching Accel's focus areas.
Hefty-Hacks
आगे क्या?
यह राउंड खत्म हो गया है। "मुझे बताएँ" दबाएँ, अगला शुरू होने पर हम ईमेल करेंगे।