Bengaluru | November 10, 2025 — In a major boost to India’s startup and innovation ecosystem, Google for Startups has partnered with Scaler, the edtech and tech upskilling platform, to launch a unique AI skilling program aimed at empowering Indian startup founders.
The initiative — titled “Startup School: Prompt to Prototype” — seeks to train and mentor non-technical founders in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to build scalable, sustainable, and globally competitive businesses.
This collaboration underscores the growing importance of AI adoption among Indian entrepreneurs, many of whom are building next-generation products and services in fintech, healthcare, education, and e-commerce sectors.
“Our goal is to democratize AI knowledge. With this program, we want every Indian founder — technical or not — to have the tools to build and innovate with AI,”
— said Sanjay Gupta, Country Head & VP, Google India.
The Vision: Democratizing AI for Every Founder
The AI Skilling Program comes at a time when India is witnessing an unprecedented boom in startup activity. With over 110,000 registered startups and 100+ unicorns, India is now the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world — after the U.S. and China.
However, despite this explosive growth, many early-stage founders lack the technical expertise to implement AI solutions — a gap that Google and Scaler now aim to fill.
The “Startup School: Prompt to Prototype” program is designed to help founders:
- Understand the basics of generative AI and machine learning.
- Learn how to use AI tools for product development, customer engagement, and business analytics.
- Build a working prototype or AI-powered MVP (Minimum Viable Product) within weeks.
“AI shouldn’t be a luxury that only big companies can afford. Every founder should be able to use it to scale faster and smarter,”
— said Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-founder of Scaler and InterviewBit.
Program Overview: From Idea to Prototype
The AI skilling program is structured as a hands-on, 8-week accelerator-style bootcamp. It will guide founders through every stage of integrating AI into their businesses — from conceptualization to execution.
🔹 Key Modules Include:
- Introduction to AI and Generative Models
Basics of AI, machine learning, and prompt engineering explained for non-technical founders. - AI Tools for Product Development
Using APIs and platforms such as Google Gemini, Vertex AI, TensorFlow, and OpenAI’s GPT models. - Building MVPs with No-Code and Low-Code Tools
Training participants to create AI prototypes using tools like Zapier, Bubble, and Streamlit. - AI in Customer Experience & Marketing
Applying chatbots, AI assistants, and personalization engines to enhance user engagement. - Responsible AI & Data Ethics
Emphasizing the importance of ethical data handling, transparency, and bias reduction. - Pitching AI Startups to Investors
Mentorship from leading venture capitalists, angel investors, and Google mentors on presenting AI-driven ideas effectively.
At the end of the program, selected startups will pitch their AI prototypes to investors and Google’s venture network, potentially gaining early-stage funding and incubation support.
Who Can Apply
The program targets early-stage Indian founders who have an idea, product, or business concept but lack advanced technical knowledge in AI.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Startup must be India-registered.
- Founder(s) should have a working business idea or MVP.
- Technical background is not mandatory.
- Participants must commit to completing the 8-week schedule (either online or hybrid).
Applications will open on Google for Startups India’s website and Scaler’s official platform, with first cohort selections expected by December 2025.
Focus on Non-Technical Founders: A First in India
Most accelerator programs traditionally focus on technical founders or startups already building in AI. What makes this program unique is its focus on non-technical entrepreneurs — an often-overlooked segment of the ecosystem.
According to Scaler’s internal research, nearly 70% of startup founders in India come from non-engineering backgrounds, often in business, design, or operations.
“We found that while many entrepreneurs have brilliant ideas, they struggle to turn them into AI-enabled products due to a lack of technical exposure. This program fixes that,”
— said Vivek Gaur, Program Director at Scaler.
The curriculum is built to bridge this gap — helping founders understand AI’s potential without getting bogged down in complex coding.
Google’s Role: AI Expertise Meets Ecosystem Support
Google brings deep expertise and access to tools that can accelerate AI development for startups.
Through its Google for Startups initiative, the tech giant has supported thousands of founders globally — providing mentorship, infrastructure, and networking opportunities.
As part of this collaboration:
- Participants will receive credits for Google Cloud and Vertex AI.
- Founders will access Google’s AI mentors for one-on-one technical sessions.
- Exclusive access will be provided to Google’s developer resources and startup communities.
- The best-performing startups could qualify for the Google for Startups Accelerator program 2026.
“We want to help startups unlock real business value with AI — not just hype. This program provides the structure, mentorship, and resources to make that happen,”
— said Seema Kumar, Head of Developer Relations, Google India.
Scaler’s Role: Technical Upskilling and Mentorship
Scaler will lead the training, mentorship, and curriculum design aspect of the program. Known for its industry-led learning model, Scaler has already trained over 40,000 software professionals and 5,000 startup founders in India.
The partnership with Google amplifies Scaler’s mission to make AI skills accessible beyond tech professionals.
“Our goal is to empower every founder to speak the language of AI — to understand what’s possible, how it works, and how to build with it,”
— added Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-founder, Scaler.
The company will also host offline bootcamps in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi, in addition to live online sessions — creating a truly hybrid learning experience.
The Broader Context: India’s AI Startups on the Rise
India’s AI startup ecosystem is on an explosive growth trajectory. According to a NASSCOM report (2025), over 3,000 Indian startups are now actively working on AI-driven solutions — a 4x increase since 2020.
Sectors like fintech, healthtech, edtech, and agritech are seeing the fastest adoption of AI tools, helping businesses optimize costs, improve customer experience, and scale operations.
However, many founders still face challenges like:
- Limited access to AI talent.
- High cloud computing costs.
- Lack of mentorship and structured learning pathways.
The Google-Scaler program aims to address these bottlenecks directly by providing an end-to-end platform for learning, building, and scaling.
Impact: Enabling a New Generation of AI Entrepreneurs
The program’s goal is not just to educate but to empower. Organizers expect that within the first year:
- Over 1,000 founders will be trained.
- At least 100 AI-based startups will emerge from the initiative.
- Founders will collectively raise over $50 million in early-stage funding from domestic and global investors.
The long-term ambition is to establish India as a global hub for AI-driven entrepreneurship, with locally built solutions solving both domestic and global challenges.
“When Indian founders build AI startups, they don’t just build for India — they build for the world,”
— noted Deepa Thomas, Head of Partnerships at Google for Startups India.
Industry Reactions: Enthusiasm Across the Board
Industry leaders have welcomed the program as a game-changer for India’s startup ecosystem.
NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies):
“This collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision of making India the world’s AI innovation hub. Democratizing AI skills is the key to inclusive growth,”
— said Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM.
TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs):
“Google and Scaler are addressing the biggest skill gap in India’s startup ecosystem. Non-technical founders with AI knowledge can disrupt industries,”
— said Pradeep Mittal, TiE Board Member.
Investors and VCs:
“As investors, we’re increasingly looking for founders who understand AI and data-driven growth. This initiative will expand that talent pool significantly,”
— said Anand Lunia, Founding Partner, India Quotient.
What This Means for India’s Digital Economy
The Google for Startups–Scaler AI program also aligns with the Digital India 2.0 vision — which aims to integrate AI into governance, education, healthcare, and industry.
By nurturing skilled entrepreneurs, the program will indirectly support:
- Job creation in AI and tech sectors.
- Growth in AI adoption among MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises).
- Increased innovation in rural and Tier-II/Tier-III India.
“When you empower one founder, you create opportunities for hundreds. This program is a multiplier for India’s digital economy,”
— said Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics & IT, in a statement supporting the initiative.
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI Entrepreneurship in India
This partnership between Google and Scaler is only the beginning. Both organizations plan to expand the program internationally, connecting Indian founders with global investors, mentors, and markets.
Future editions are expected to include:
- AI for Sustainability & Climate Tech,
- AI for Healthcare and Education, and
- AI for Rural Development modules.
The initiative could serve as a blueprint for other emerging economies aiming to integrate AI into their startup ecosystems.
“The world is watching India’s AI story unfold — and programs like this are writing its next chapter,”
— said Ravi Shankar, AI Policy Researcher, IIT Bombay.
Conclusion: Building India’s AI-Driven Future
The Google for Startups and Scaler AI Skilling Program represents a pivotal moment in India’s entrepreneurial journey.
By equipping non-technical founders with practical AI skills, mentorship, and global exposure, the program ensures that innovation is no longer limited by coding expertise — but powered by vision, creativity, and business acumen.
As India moves toward becoming a $1 trillion digital economy, initiatives like this will define how technology and entrepreneurship intersect to build a smarter, more inclusive future.
“AI is not the future — it’s the present. And with the right skills, Indian founders can lead the world,”
— concluded Sanjay Gupta, Google India.
