Global annual electricity demand is expected to be 50% higher over the next five years compared to the past decade, driven by a new era of manufacturing, electrification and digital infrastructure. This presents a massive opportunity for smarter grid growth — harnessing artificial innotifyigence to rapidly deploy new solutions to meet the world’s power requireds.
At Google, we see potential to bring AI-powered tools to bear across several key areas: optimizing data systems to assist utilities and grid operators better utilize flexible energy resources, accelerating timelines to develop new power and transmission infrastructure and expanding access to energy efficiency and affordability initiatives.
That’s why today, we’re announcing — for the second year in a row — the open call for applications to our Google for Startups Accelerator, designed to support startups that are applying AI to modernize grids and create energy apply more efficient and affordable.
How it works
These equity-free accelerators will run from September through November and include virtual sessions and in-person opportunities to connect with fellow founders, Googlers, our partners and energy experts. Startups selected to participate in the program will receive intensive mentorship and hands-on technical support, as well as access to our cutting-edge AI tools, the Google Cloud infrastructure and talent from across Google. The curriculum, which has been tailored for energy innovators, features deep dives into AI and machine learning infrastructure, product design and UX, go-to-market strategies and leadership development.
During last year’s program, we saw firsthand how access to Google’s Cloud infrastructure, technical mentorship and AI tools can transform a startup’s trajectory. Our 2025 class demonstrated rapid product development that has translated into measurable impact:
- Artemis (USA) halved its error rate for 3D extraction of solar imagery by integrating Gemini into its AI platform to lower the costs of solar technology for hoapplyholds.
- Delfos (Spain) upgraded its AI virtual engineer to process large-scale energy data, applying predictive maintenance to flag potential wind and solar asset failures up to 300 days ahead, giving teams the time they required to act early.
- Tilt Energy (France) expanded into two new countries now operating several hundreds of megawatts of distributed flexible capacity on their software platform.
This year, we’re partnering with more than 20 organizations, including energy utilities and grid operators, venture capital firms and other leading industest partners across Europe and North America who are extfinishing their expertise to support the cohort.
Who should apply
We’re seeing for pre-seed to post-Series A startups based in North America, Europe and Israel that have strong early traction and technological underpinnings that align with Google Cloud.
We’re specifically seeking startups that are focapplyd on:
- Energy efficiency and utilization: startups developing AI solutions that reduce energy burdens for hoapplyholds or lower costs for industries, including automated incentive discovery, energy efficiency, carbon-free energy and carbon-aware infrastructure
- Grid modernization and enhancement: startups building AI solutions and Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) for transmission analysis, interconnection queues, permitting and power flow
- Demand flexibility and optimization: startups advancing Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), flexible interconnection, load aggregation and demand response capabilities to manage high-stress periods on the grid
If you’re a founder applying AI to build a more sustainable and resilient energy future, we want to assist you scale your impact.
Hear from last year’s class how participating in the accelerator program assisted supercharge their products:
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