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Supporting startups that are shaping the future of energy
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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 intelligence to rapidly deploy new solutions to meet the world’s power needs.
At Google, we see potential to bring AI-powered tools to bear across several key areas: optimizing data systems to help 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 using AI to modernize grids and make energy use 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 households.
- Delfos (Spain) upgraded its AI virtual engineer to process large-scale energy data, using predictive maintenance to flag potential wind and solar asset failures up to 300 days ahead, giving teams the time they need 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 industry partners across Europe and North America who are extending their expertise to support the cohort.
Who should apply
We’re looking 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 focused on:
- Energy efficiency and utilization: startups developing AI solutions that reduce energy burdens for households 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 using AI to build a more sustainable and resilient energy future, we want to help you scale your impact.
- For startups based in Europe and Israel, applications close on June 12. Apply on the Europe and Israel Google for Startups Accelerator page.
- For startups based in North America, applications close on June 30. Apply on the North America Google for Startups Accelerator page.
Hear from last year’s class how participating in the accelerator program helped supercharge their products:
“The accelerator sharpened our technology, clarified our GTM strategy and unlocked new speed in execution. We’re now better equipped and more confident to scale globally.”
— Guilherme Studart, CEO, Delfos Energy, Spain
"Google’s AI for Energy helped us use generative AI to improve our platform. And the Gemini and GCP teams gave us access to cutting-edge tools and pushed our tech further."
— Walid Halty, co-founder & CEO, Artemis, USA
“We learned that doing ‘more’ isn’t always the answer. The Accelerator helped us stop forcing what wasn’t working and focus on what truly matters.”
— Laura Laringe, CEO, reLi Energy, Germany
"The Google team gave us guidance we couldn’t get anywhere else — especially from the perspective of how a global hyperscaler thinks about data center power needs and growth."
— Monty Prekeris, CTO, Mercury Computing, USA
“The support and access Google provided was outstanding — driving our product forward and delivering great insight into the Google ecosystem.”
— Matt Ryan, CTO, Gridcog, United Kingdom
"There’s never been a better time to build in AI, and this program put us at its center. The resources and access were top-notch. We’re grateful for this strategic accelerator."
— Julia Wu, CEO, Spark AI, USA
