Key Points
- Programme targets AI startups with live products seeking to scale using Google tools
- Online phase opens to 5,000 founders with top 25 selected for in-person sessions
- Applications close 22 May with offline immersion scheduled for 26 June at Google Bangalore
Google for Startups and Antler India have launched a hybrid programme targeting up to 5,000 founders, CTOs and technical leads building artificial intelligence products in India. Applications for the Google for Startups Immersion programme are open until 22 May 2026.
The programme is structured in two phases. The first phase runs online from 2 to 11 June 2026, covering Google’s AI development tools through four virtual sessions. The second phase brings the top 25 startups to Google’s Bangalore office on 26 June for in-person workshops and investor meetings.
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Eligibility is restricted to startups that already have a working product and verifiable customer traction. Idea-stage ventures and founders without a deployed product cannot apply.
What the programme covers
The online sessions will focus on three Google platforms: AI Studio, a browser-based tool for building generative AI applications; Antigravity, Google’s infrastructure for deploying machine learning models; and the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, which lets developers build AI assistants for business applications.
Antler India, an early-stage venture capital firm, will run a parallel business track covering unit economics, fundraising strategy and what investors look for when evaluating AI companies in the current funding environment.
“The Google for Startups Immersion is designed for founders who are already building and want to go deeper on implementation,” said Ragini Das, head of Google for Startups India. “We want to help strong technical teams work more closely with Google’s AI tools and infrastructure, while also giving them access to the business perspective they need to scale.”
Selection process and offline phase
Selection for the in-person phase involves a joint review by Google and Antler, followed by 20-minute rapid interviews. A shortlist of 50 startups will be interviewed before the final 25 to 30 are selected.
The offline immersion at Google Ananta in Bangalore includes architecture whiteboarding sessions with Google Cloud engineers, one-on-one meetings with Antler’s team on go-to-market strategy and pricing, and a founder networking session.
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“India’s AI moment is finally here. We are now emerging as the world’s next exciting place to build across all layers of the AI stack,” said Nitin Sharma, partner at Antler India. “Through our residency programmes, Antler has worked with founders from day zero, from validating an idea through to the first investment. The Google for Startups Immersion extends that philosophy.”
Antler India operates a $75 million fund and has invested in over 115 startups in India. Google for Startups runs programmes in over 140 countries connecting startups with technical expertise and its global network.
Invitations for the offline phase will be sent on 15 June 2026.
Your Questions, Answered
Who is eligible for the Google for Startups Immersion programme?
Founders, CTOs and technical leads with a live minimum viable product and verifiable customer traction. Idea-stage startups and founders without a deployed product are not eligible.
What are the key dates for the programme?
Applications close 22 May 2026. Online sessions run 2, 4, 9 and 11 June 2026. Offline invites go out 15 June 2026. The in-person immersion takes place 26 June 2026 at Google Ananta, Bangalore.
How are startups selected for the offline phase?
Google and Antler conduct a joint review of online participants. A shortlist of 50 startups undergo 20-minute rapid interviews before the final 25 to 30 are selected for the in-person phase.
What does the programme cover?
The technical track covers Google’s AI Studio, Antigravity and Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. The business track led by Antler covers unit economics, fundraising strategy and investor expectations in the AI funding environment.