The AI Futures Fund is Google’s latest bold move to support the next wave of artificial intelligence startups. Announced this week, the fund is designed to back founders who are building breakthrough AI products, providing them with not only capital but also exclusive access to Google’s advanced models and tools.
Through the AI Futures Fund, Google is offering early-stage and growth-stage startups a unique mix of funding, support, and cloud infrastructure. Selected startups will gain early access to the latest models developed by Google DeepMind, including the powerful Gemini AI family. These startups will also receive Google Cloud credits and hands-on support from Google’s top engineers and researchers.
For any startup trying to push the boundaries of what AI can do, this isn’t just another investment program—it’s a chance to build directly with one of the world’s leading AI innovators. Google says the AI Futures Fund is about more than just writing checks. It’s about helping startups get from idea to execution faster by giving them the tools and mentorship they need to scale.
The tech giant explained in a blog post that the program will help startups “bring audacious AI ideas to life.” Founders accepted into the AI Futures Fund will have the chance to collaborate directly with Google teams, experiment with advanced AI systems, and even seek equity investment to support long-term growth.
The move comes at a critical time for the industry. Many promising AI startups are looking for alternatives to public markets, which remain unpredictable. At the same time, cloud costs and compute needs continue to climb—creating real pressure for small teams building large models or deploying intensive applications. By offering cloud credits and deep technical support, the AI Futures Fund removes major obstacles that often slow down early AI innovation.
This initiative isn’t Google’s first push into startup investing. Earlier this year, the company made headlines for investing over $1 billion in Anthropic, a generative AI startup that competes with OpenAI. That investment followed an earlier $2 billion commitment and included a long-term cloud deal. With the AI Futures Fund, Google is now turning its attention to startups that haven’t yet hit unicorn status—but could, with the right support.
Other tech giants are taking similar steps. Microsoft has gone all-in on OpenAI, embedding its models into products like Office and Azure. Amazon is investing in its own suite of AI tools while also funding multiple AI-driven ventures. However, Google’s approach with the AI Futures Fund sets it apart by offering early access to proprietary tools like Gemini, while combining capital and compute resources in a single program.
The AI Futures Fund is already accepting applications. Any startup working on transformative AI technologies—from generative tools to autonomous systems—can apply online. Google emphasizes that it’s looking for startups at any stage, as long as they have a bold vision and a roadmap for turning that vision into real products.
For founders, this could be a golden opportunity. It’s rare to find funding, cloud credits, and mentorship from a top-tier AI lab in one place. The AI Futures Fund bundles all three—and adds the weight of Google’s reputation behind it.
As the race to build the next generation of AI heats up, Google’s move signals that it wants to stay close to the action—not just by competing at the top but by helping shape what’s coming next from the ground up.
