Global venture capital firm Accel today has opened applications for the AI and Industry 5.0 cohorts under Atoms 3.0, the new avatar of its program designed to help early-stage AI and Industry 5.0 start-ups in India, Southeast Asia and the UAE.
Accel Atoms is an accelerator program that provides pre-seed and seed-stage start-ups with access to funding, personalised mentorship, and industry-specific guidance from top operators and founders. Since the program's launch in August 2021, Atoms has invested in 24 companies across two cohorts. These companies have since raised over $160 million in funding.

The revamped Atoms 3.0 program, based on feedback from previous cohorts and the broader ecosystem, introduces a sector-based approach. Through closed groups, early-stage founders can collaborate, interact, exchange ideas, and grow together in a more personalised learning environment. 

Prayank Swaroop will lead the AI cohort, while Barath Shankar Subramanian will spearhead the Industry 5.0 cohort. A team of experienced Accel investors, operators and mentors will support them. Each cohort will consist of a small number of companies and will follow its duration and methodology to help these companies prepare for success. Closed groups enable better collaboration, interaction, exchange of ideas, and collective growth, providing a more personalised learning journey.  

Atoms 3.0 program is a sector-specific program catering to early-stage start-ups, featuring personalised cohorts tailored to various sectors. It will consist of a series of workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking events designed to help start-ups validate their ideas, build their teams, and raise capital. 

Selected cohort companies benefit from up to $500,000 in investment and access to Accel's mentorship network. They can also participate in workshops and community events on and with AI and Industry 5.0 start-ups.

For the AI cohort, Atoms is looking for companies that are using AI innovatively for business applications and are building development tools for the AI ecosystem. They can also partake in meet-ups with potential customers, mixers with investors and Accel portfolio companies. Moreover, they will get perks from Atoms partners like AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. 

Industry 5.0 represents a future where humans collaborate with smart manufacturing machines, fostering a carbon-neutral, energy-efficient industry. Accel aims to support start-ups operating in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, agri-tech, and food-tech as these industries embrace the transformative power of Industry 5.0.

Prayank Swaroop, Partner at Accel, said that zero-to-one is the most challenging journey for any entrepreneur, as it sets the foundation for the business. "We believe that AI will have a transformative impact on a wide range of industries, and we want to support the next generation of AI entrepreneurs in India and SEA. AI start-ups in this region need a lot of help in competing globally; with Atoms we intend to help these companies with a running start," he added. 

Barath Shankar Subramanian, Partner at Accel, said, "There are strong tailwinds powering manufacturing and the next wave of growth will be powered by tech. Our mission is to empower founders building that tech. We are thrilled as we open the applications for the Industry 5.0 cohort. Together, we will build the foundations of tomorrow's industries, unlocking unprecedented opportunities and shaping a future that is efficient, profitable but also inclusive, and sustainable."

Accel, a global venture capital firm, has been operating in India since 2008. Its investments include companies like BookMyShow, Browserstack, Flipkart, Freshworks, FalconX, Infra.Market, Chargebee, Clevertap, Cure Fit, Musigma, Moneyview, Mensa Brands, Myntra, Moglix, Ninjacart, Swiggy, Stanza Living, Urban Company, Zetwerk, and Zenoti.