In a significant move to bolster India’s rapidly evolving tech ecosystem, Google has officially launched the Google Market Access Program. Announced during the Google AI Startups Conclave on January 15, 2026, this first-of-its-kind initiative is specifically designed to help Indian startups scale their operations and navigate the complexities of global markets.

As India solidifies its position as a global hub for deep tech and artificial intelligence, Google is doubling down on its commitment to provide the infrastructure, tools, and mentorship necessary for “population-scale” success.

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While many startups succeed in moving from labs to functional prototypes, the journey to global scaling remains a formidable challenge. The Google Market Access Program aims to bridge this “scaling gap” by focusing on three core pillars:

1. Enterprise Readiness: Founders will gain access to a specialized curriculum focused on global enterprise sales. This includes mastering complex pricing models and understanding the nuances of international buyer psychology.

2. Global Networking: The program facilitates direct introductions to Google’s expansive global network, including high-level CIOs and CXOs, providing startups with a seat at the table with world-class decision-makers.

3. Global Immersion: In collaboration with ecosystem leaders like TiE Silicon Valley and Alteus, the program offers startups the opportunity to establish in-person relationships in key international tech hubs and buyer markets.

Preeti Lobana, Country Manager for India at Google, emphasized that while the path to prototyping has become robust, Google’s focus is now on supporting startups across the full stack—from AI infrastructure to market access.

Beyond market access, Google is enhancing its technical support with new additions to the Gemma open model family. These lightweight, state-of-the-art models are built to help startups create production-ready applications:

1. MedGemma 1.5: Tailored for the healthcare sector, this model addresses the increasing demand for advanced medical AI research and application.

2. FunctionGemma: Optimized for “function calling,” this model is designed for the next generation of on-device, agent-based systems. It allows AI applications to perform secure, reliable actions locally, which is crucial for privacy and speed.

Google’s support extends into physical infrastructure. The company highlighted its ongoing investment in the Global AI Hub in Visakhapatnam. This facility provides a staggering 1-gigawatt foundation powered by green energy. Equipped with Google’s advanced AI chips, the hub ensures that Indian startups have the high-performance computing power required to train and deploy sophisticated AI models.

Applications for the Google Market Access Program are currently open for eligible Indian startups. By providing a combination of AI infrastructure, specialized datasets, and global mentorship, Google aims to ensure that the next generation of global tech giants emerges from India.

Key Takeaways for Founders:

• Focus: Global scaling and enterprise sales readiness.
• Partners: TiE Silicon Valley and Alteus.
• Tech Support: Access to MedGemma, FunctionGemma, and the Visakhapatnam AI Hub.

With this launch, Google reinforces its role as a primary catalyst for India’s digital economy, transforming the “startup nation” into a global AI powerhouse.