Accel has teamed up with Google’s AI Futures Fund to select five startups for the 2026 Accel Atoms AI Cohort, narrowing the list from more than 4,000 applications. The programme is aimed at supporting young companies that are building artificial intelligence technologies capable of scaling globally.
The selected startups—K-Dense, Dodge.ai, Persistence Labs, Zingroll, and LevelPlane—are working on AI products across a mix of industries, including enterprise software, voice automation, entertainment platforms, and industrial manufacturing. Their selection reflects a broader shift in the AI space, where more startups are focusing on solving practical industry problems rather than experimenting with consumer-facing tools.
As part of the programme, each company will receive up to $2 million in combined funding from Accel and Google’s AI Futures Fund. In addition, the startups will get access to up to $350,000 in compute credits on Google Cloud, allowing them to use tools such as Gemini and infrastructure developed by Google DeepMind while building their AI systems.
The idea behind the initiative is simple: combine Accel’s experience in backing early-stage startups with Google’s advanced AI technology and cloud infrastructure. With funding and technical resources available from the start, founders can focus on developing and scaling their products more quickly.
Jonathan Silber, co-founder and director of the Google AI Futures Fund, said artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of the core infrastructure used in scientific and industrial work. According to him, giving startups early access to advanced models and large-scale computing power can help them move faster when tackling complex challenges.
Among the selected startups, K-Dense is building what it calls an AI “co-scientist,” designed to help researchers solve complex problems across areas like life sciences, physics, and chemistry. Dodge.ai, founded in San Francisco in 2025, is developing autonomous AI agents that aim to modernise ERP management within SAP environments.
Persistence Labs is focused on voice AI technology for call centres, with the goal of automating customer support operations at scale. Zingroll, another San Francisco-based startup, is building an AI-powered streaming platform that aims to produce movies and shows generated with artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, LevelPlane is applying AI-driven automation to manufacturing processes, particularly in industries such as automotive and aerospace.
Accel partners Prayank Swaroop and Shekhar Kirani said the Atoms programme has always focused on supporting founders when their ideas are still at an early stage. They added that with the backing of Google’s AI ecosystem, startups in the programme gain access to resources that can help them compete globally right from the beginning.
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