Priyanka Kamath

AI Funding Opportunities for Startups

A wide array of funding options and support programs are available globally for AI startups, ranging from cloud credits and technical mentorship to direct equity investments and accelerator programs. Here’s a structured overview of key opportunities:

Google for Startups Cloud Program

• Offers up to $350,000 USD in Google Cloud credits over two years for early-stage, AI-first startups with equity funding (Seed to Series A, within the last 12 months)1.
• Additional benefits include $12,000 in enhanced support credits, free Google Workspace Business Plus for a year, and $600/month in Google Maps Platform credits for 12 months.
• Access to Google Cloud AI experts, exclusive webinars, and live Q&As.
• Eligibility: Startups must use AI as core technology, be founded within the last 10 years, and not have received more than $5,000 in prior Google Cloud credits1.

AI Futures Fund (Google DeepMind & Google Labs)

• Provides early access to Google DeepMind’s latest AI models (e.g., Gemini, Imagen, Veo), technical resources, and hands-on support from Google experts5.
• Includes Google Cloud credits and the possibility of direct equity investment from Google.
• Open to startups at various growth stages in regions where Gemini is available5.

AI First Accelerator (India)

• A three-month, equity-free program for Indian AI startups (Seed to Series A), offering up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits, technical training, and access to industry experts7.
• Focuses on startups building core AI products or foundational models, with a strong emphasis on mentorship, product design, and growth strategy.
• Includes early access to Google products, technical bootcamps, and a Demo Day for exposure to VCs and media7.

IndiaAI Startup Financing

• A government initiative to accelerate deep-tech AI startups in India by providing streamlined access to funding for innovative AI projects2.
• Part of the broader IndiaAI mission to foster entrepreneurial growth and enhance the country’s AI competitiveness.
• Includes collaborations with programs like AWS Generative AI Spotlight for additional support2.

Lean AI Startup Funding (Hessian Center, Germany)

• Offers six months of funding (for one person full-time or two part-time) and €30,000 in material expenses to help research-driven AI ideas transition into viable business cases6.
• Targets founders who have not yet incorporated their company or received parallel funding.
• Applications are accepted continuously, with funding decisions made by an independent jury6.

AI Fund (Venture Studio by Andrew Ng)

• A venture studio model that co-founds companies with entrepreneurs, providing pre-seed funding, co-founder matching, and a core team to launch and scale AI startups8.
• Backed by over $370 million and supported by top-tier VCs, AI Fund focuses on rapid company building and industry collaboration8.

AI Grants Finder

• An online platform aggregating startup credits, grants, and investment opportunities from leading tech companies such as OpenAI, Stripe, Azure, Google, Nvidia, and more4.
• Useful for discovering a variety of funding and support programs tailored to AI startups

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