Eligible startups in the AI Futures Fund will receive Google investment, early access to AI models, and hands-on support from Google employees.
Google is doubling down on artificial intelligence with a new initiative to support early-stage startups. The tech giant unveiled “AI Futures Fund,” an artificial intelligence fund to invest in startups.
As part of the new program, Google will offer tech startups a mix of funding, early access to Google’s AI models, and direct support from its research and engineering teams. Founders selected for the program will also receive Google Cloud credits.
“Select startups get the opportunity to seek direct investment from Google to fuel growth and scale AI development,” the company said in a blog post.
Google AI Futures Fund
“Today, we’re introducing the AI Futures Fund to invest in and collaborate with ambitious startups. This program will give startups at various growth stages early access to Google DeepMind’s latest AI models as well as resources, technical expertise, and equity funding to accelerate their progress,” Google said in a blog post.
According to Google, eligible startups in the AI Futures Fund will receive Google investment, early access to AI models, and hands-on support from Google employees. Any startup interested in the program can apply here.
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The move signals Google’s intent to get closer to emerging players in the AI space—especially at a time when promising startups are looking for alternatives to public markets, which remain sluggish.
“The AI Futures Fund is an initiative from Google to collaborate with and support founders building next-gen AI products with Gemini models. We work closely with ambitious startups across all stages to quickly enable groundbreaking 0-to-1 products and features, providing early access to Google’s advanced AI models, expertise, and potential funding to bring audacious AI ideas to life,” Google said.
This isn’t Google’s first foray into AI startup backing. Earlier this year, it invested over $1 billion in Anthropic, a generative AI company it had already backed with $2 billion and a 10% ownership stake. The relationship also includes a major cloud contract.
Other tech giants are following the same playbook. Microsoft has aligned itself closely with OpenAI, while Amazon has been investing heavily in its own set of AI tools and partners.
The AI Futures Fund gives startups access to Gemini models and a chance to build directly with Google’s infrastructure and expertise.
“We work closely with ambitious startups across all stages to quickly enable groundbreaking 0-to-1 products and features, providing early access to Google’s advanced AI models, expertise, and potential funding to bring audacious AI ideas to life,” the fund’s mission states.
For AI founders trying to break through, Google’s latest move could offer a rare mix of credibility, computing resources, and capital—all under one roof.
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