Google for Startups Announces 2026 Australia and New Zealand AI Startups
Google has selected 15 Seed and Series A stage startups operating in the fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning for its 2026 program.
Google has announced the 15 startups selected for the 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator: Australia & New Zealand program, focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. The ten-week hybrid and equity-free program aims to accelerate the growth of the startups.
Purpose and Scope of the Program
Announced under the Google for Startups Accelerator, this special program was launched to support Seed and Series A stage startups working in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The ten-week hybrid and equity-free program aims to ensure that local startups can compete on a global scale.
Design and Research-Focused Startups
Among the selected startups, Blunge develops an AI design agent that accelerates the process between marketing and design. Bower offers a research operating system that captures laboratory experiments and observations in real time via smart interfaces.
Workforce and Maritime Solutions
Co Connect App stands out as an all-in-one workforce platform ensuring communication and safety for remote and field personnel. CounterCurrent produces reliable maritime forecasts and decision-support tools for smart vessel routing and asset optimization.
Health and Child Development Technologies
Eyes of AI provides faster and more accurate diagnosis capabilities with AI-powered imaging technology that transforms dental care. Gheorg develops a friendly robot companion that guides children on mental health and neurodiversity.
Chemistry and Supply Chain Innovations
Kimia creates a chemical intelligence layer for the materials industry, providing operational data to manufacturers and distributors. Mentana offers an autonomous supply chain manager that transitions global supply chains into AI-led forecasting, planning, and execution processes.
Retail and Agricultural Technologies
Merchmix offers an AI-based operating system that enables retailers to manage inventory planning, purchasing, and replenishment processes on a single platform. Rainstick uses Variable Electric Field technology, mimicking lightning, to help seeds grow larger and faster without using chemicals.
Manufacturing, Urban Planning, and Energy Systems
RossOps provides operational memory in factories, while Terria offers spatial data intelligence for urban planning. Tiliter converts visual inputs into operational data, whereas Totex Energy transforms assets into flexible grid components by shifting building energy loads to low-cost renewable hours.
Unseen, a commercial real estate trust layer, powers auditable AI valuation workflows by reconstructing verified asset conditions from source documents.