iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Google has opened applications for the third cohort of its Google Play Accelerator India on Monday, May 4, expanding its push to support early-stage startups building AI-driven apps and games in the country.
The three-month, equity-free program is aimed at 20 India-based startups that are in the Seed to Series A stage and already have a published app on the Google Play Store. The next cohort is scheduled to begin in July 2026.
To qualify, startups must be using artificial intelligence and machine learning as a core part of their products, with a focus on building solutions for both Indian and global users. The initiative is designed to help high-potential companies improve app quality, scale AI-led innovation, and grow their businesses through access to Google’s technology, expertise, and global network.
The program runs for 12 weeks and follows a hybrid format. It starts with an in-person bootcamp, followed by about two months of virtual mentorship and on-demand learning sessions. It will wrap up with an in-person Demo Day in November 2026, where participating startups will present their products to Google teams, investors, media, and other stakeholders.
Startups selected for the accelerator will receive structured support across areas such as app quality, growth, design, data safety, and global expansion. Each company will also be assigned a dedicated Startup Success Manager from Google and gain access to mentorship sessions, technical audits, and customized reports on app performance and security.
The program builds on earlier cohorts, where participating startups collectively logged more than 300 hours of mentorship and used the experience to roll out measurable improvements to their products.
The latest edition comes at a time when India’s developer ecosystem is increasingly focused on AI-first applications, with startups looking to scale quickly both within the country and in international markets.
Photo: Pawel Czerwinski/Unsplash