Accel Atoms 4.0 to invest up to $1 mn in pre-seed startups focused on `Bharat' opportunity, AI

Global venture capital firm Accel on Wednesday announced the launch of Accel Atoms 4.0, the fourth edition of its pre-seed scaling programme, Accel Atoms, that offers chosen startups up to USD 1 million funding along with perks of over USD 5 million from Accel network partners.

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Accel Atoms 4.0 builds on the success of three previous editions, and is designed to make the journey as frictionless as possible for visionary founders and promising entrepreneurs operating in the two distinct cohorts of AI and Bharat, the VC firm said in a release.

Accel Atoms 4.0 is inviting applications from two categories of pre-seed startups - those building for 'Bharat', and AI (Artificial Intelligence), it said. Applications for the programme open on September 16.

Accel defines 'Bharat' as the middle-income households spread across Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural India.

Startups at the pre-seed stage, including idea-stage and pre-product companies, are eligible to apply for this rigorous three-month hybrid programme.

"Selected startups will receive up to USD 1 million in funding through equity or convertible note, and acSTARTUP CORNER cess perks worth more than USD 5 million from Accel's network partners," the release stated.

Founders in Accel Atoms 4.0 will also have access to Accel's global community of over 200 founders, mentors and potential customers.