Accel Atoms | Apply to our AI or Bharat cohort

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Thanks for taking out the time to apply. If your application is selected for Atoms 4.0, our team will reach out to schedule an interview.

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Application Requisites

1. LinkedIn Profile: Your complete education and work history please.

2. Business Idea: A sharp pitch deck. Straight and direct. One minute to the top floor.

Eligibility Criteria

Country Focus / Sector Focus / Start-up Stage

For the AI Cohort:

We are accepting applications from founders based in India & Indian-origin founders based anywhere in the world.

For the Bharat Cohort:

We are accepting applications from founders based in India.

Startup Stage:

We support companies that are looking to raise less than $2M. In our three previous cohorts, we have invested across stages, including idea-stage and pre-product companies. We will continue to support startups across stages in Atoms 4.0.

Selection Process

Phases / Key Dates / Time of Application

Selection phase: Upon submission of application, selected candidates would be invited for interviews.

Key dates:

16th September: Applications open

17th November: Applications close

06 December: Result announcement

When is a good time to apply?

We review applications for our cohort on an ongoing basis and recommend that you apply early.

Program

Perks / Community / Funding / Customer

Perks:

As part of the Accel family, companies have access to perks worth more than $5M from our network partners.

Community:

Gain access to Accel’s network of 300+ startup founders and industry experts to guide you.

Funding:

We will invest up to $1M as equity or convertible note.

Customers:

Accel facilitates finding your initial customers by networking within our portfolio and enabling industry contacts.

Questions? Check our FAQs page, or write to us at atoms@accel.com

1. Your Profile

1.1 Name^*

First Name*

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Last Name*

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1.2 LinkedIn Profile^*

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1.3 Contact Number^*

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1.4 Email^*

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1.5 I discovered Atoms through^*

Pick your option from the dropdown

1.6 Referrer Details

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1.7 Have you spoken to Accel before^*

Yes

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Some field(s) are incomplete or incorrect. Please review and try again

You’ll be our Point of Contact

The form should be completed by one founder, who can then add team members. The founder filling the form will be our point of contact.

Application Requisites

1. LinkedIn Profile: Your complete education and work history please.

2. Business Idea: A sharp pitch deck. Straight and direct. One minute to the top floor.

Your LinkedIn Profile

An updated LinkedIn profile is crucial for our selection process as it provides valuable insights into your professional journey, network, team, and overall credibility, enabling us to make informed investment decisions.

Referral Information

If someone referred or suggested that you apply to the Atoms program, please let us know.

Questions? Check our FAQs page, or write to us at atoms@accel.com

2. Your Cohort

2.1 I am building in^*

Bharat

Others

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2.2 The segment that I am starting up in^*

Foundational Layer: Developing foundational models for complex modalities or enterprise automation

Infrastructure Layer: Developing secure, scalable infrastructure for AI deployment and optimization

Application Layer: Developing AI solutions/agents/co-pilots to transform workflows and services

Others

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2.3 My startup idea is^*

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2.2 The segment that I am starting up in^*

E-commerce

Healthcare

Fintech

Edtech, Upskilling & Recruitment

Consumer Brands

OTT & Content Platform

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2.3 Who is your target customer?^*

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2.4 What problem are you solving for them?^*

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2.5 How are you doing this?^*

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2.6 Who do you identify as competition?^*

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Our Cohorts

Atoms 4.0 is launching with AI and Bharat cohorts.

If you're building in a different sector beyond AI and Bharat, please share your startup details. We'll get in touch.

Foundational Layer:

Small language models on the edge
Data & models for difficult modalities like video & robotics
Models for low-resource languages
Explainable models for enterprise workflow automation

Infrastructure Layer:

Testing tools & frameworks (’Eval’) for  GenAI-based application development
Monitoring & debugging GenAI models in production
Securing complex LLM-powered systems
Infrastructure for Knowledge Graphs x LLM
Enabling infrastructure for RLHF & RLAIF
Data infrastructure for bringing compute to unstructured data (’AI data apps’)
New age identity & access control system for RAG & other AI systems
Infrastructure for powering autonomous web browsing agents

Application Layer:

Verticalized AI assistants for high-value services industries
Verticalized voice AI agents for consumer services industries
10x acceleration of SDLC with AI
Agentic frameworks for enterprise workflow automation
AI agents for accounting, compliance, & controller functions
AI agents for integrating, migrating, & maintaining complex software like ERPs & CRMs
Verticalized AI-powered & mobile-friendly BI/analytics applications
Verticalized ‘Airtables’: AI for domain-specific structured data
AI-powered personalised coaching/education apps
Virtual environments/multiplayer games with AI characters & AI-powered UGC tools

Bharat

E-commerce:

Teams building efficient supply chains and providing the right customer experience

Healthcare:

Making healthcare accessible and affordable for users across different strata

Fintech:

Credit expansion and wealth generation

Edtech, Upskilling & Recruitment

Platforms enabling better recruitment opportunities for next generation

Consumer Brands:

Brands built for large categories (fashion, appliances & QSR) for audiences without access today

OTT & Content Platforms:

Platforms with monetizable avenues & proof points

Communication Framework

Here's something to help you communicate your startup idea. Feel free to do it your way too.

Value Positioning Statement

Geoff Moore’s Value Positioning Statement

Template

For (Target Consumer)

Statement of the Need or Opportunity

Our (Product/Service Name) is (Product Category)

that (Statement of Benefit)

Sample

For Non-Technical Marketers

Who struggle to find return on investment in social media

Our product is a web-based analytics software

that translates engagement metrics into actionable revenue metrics.

Questions? Check our FAQs page, or write to us at atoms@accel.com

3. Your Startup

3.1 My startup is called^*

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3.2 My startup's website is^*

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3.3 I am at a stage where it is^*

An Idea

Pre-product but building the MVP

Pre-revenue but people are using the product

Generating revenue

3.4 In my team currently^*

I am a solo founder

No co-founders, I am looking for one

I have one/more co-founder(s)

3.4 (A) Co-founder Details

Co-founder 1*

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Co-founder 2

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3.5 I have been funded^*

Yes

3.5 (A) I have raised a total amount of

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3.5 (B) Previously, I have raised from

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3.6 Describe what insight led you to start your startup?^*

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3.7 Why do you think you are the right team to build this?^*

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3.8 Describe your user and what problem you are trying to solve for them^*

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3.9 Why do you think this idea has the potential to turn into large company?^*

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3.10 Here is the Concept Note (up to 2 pages)/
Pitch Deck (up to 10 Pages)^*

I have a shareable link

I want to upload a file

Drop files here to upload

Browse Files

Try and share a PDF. Don't exceed 10 MB please.

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3.11 I have a video about my idea

Talk about your idea, your customer, your go-to-market, and the opportunity in 90 seconds max..

I have a shareable link

I want to upload a file

Drop files here to upload

Browse Files

Don't exceed 10 MB please.

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3.12 What are you looking to get out of the Accel Atoms program?^*

In which of the following segments can Atoms add most value to your startup?

What to build: Learning about ICP and idea validation.

How to build: Learning how to build a product the right way.

How to sell: Learning about building early traction and go-to-market strategy.

How to build a startup: Learning how to build teams, processes, and culture.

How to raise capital: Learning how to raise your next round of funding.

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Accel’s Funding

We will invest up to $1M in companies. For companies looking to raise more than $1M, we will consider them for Accel investments where we invest up to $100M.

Program Perks

As part of the Accel family, companies have access to perks worth more than $5M from our network partners.

Pitch Deck Template

Here's a template, if you'd like one.

Download the Template

Founding Team

Help us understand your founding team, their expertise, and what makes you the right team to build this business.

Share key experiences that you/your team has had that have led you to develop this product. We'd love to know your learnings from these experiences and how you're building a business with them.

Solo founder?

We absolutely accept solo founders. Some companies with solo founders that we have invested in the past include Brik, Ripik, and Skoob.

Co-founder(s)

We look for well-rounded founding teams that have the skills to build and scale their product.

Questions? Check our FAQs page, or write to us at atoms@accel.com

Some field(s) are incomplete or incorrect. Please review and try again

Last Stop!

Take a moment to review your application. If you wish to add or edit anything, now's the time.

Questions? Check our FAQs page, or write to us at atoms@accel.com

Congratulations! Your application has been submitted.

You will be receiving a confirmation that your application has been received.

16 Sep

16 September

Application Submitted

17 Nov

17 November

Shortlisting Underway

06 Dec

06 December

Result announcement

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Accel Atoms Application Form

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