Lessons from the Google for Startups Mentorship Program - How can AI deliver actual results!

Having the opportunity to mentor at the Google for Startups Mentorship Initiative was nothing short of inspiring! We had a front-row seat to some of the most promising startups—20, to be exact—each with brilliant founders eager to push the boundaries of what their businesses could achieve. In every conversation, there was one resounding theme: How can AI accelerate growth?

These founders are ambitious, and their goals aren’t just to survive but to thrive—to integrate AI in ways that will make their startups scale faster, offer better user experiences, optimize UI/UX, and innovate at a level that keeps them ahead of the curve. From creating smarter interfaces to utilizing AI for business operations, the appetite for AI is clear. But here’s the catch: advice and mentorship alone won’t make your startup successful. The magic happens when you strategically align that advice with your startup’s unique needs and capabilities.

Here are a few learnings I had from the week about how ambitious startups can leverage the accelerator programs around the world -

1. Advice is Gold, But Context is Key

Yes, you’re surrounded by an incredible ecosystem. Whether it’s Google’s resources, experienced mentors, or connections within the program, there’s no shortage of valuable insights. But every piece of advice needs to be filtered through the lens of where your startup is right now. Not all strategies are meant for every stage of growth. What works for an early-stage startup might be detrimental for one scaling rapidly—and vice versa. This was a key takeaway as we mentored these founders. Always ask yourself: Does this advice fit my current needs?

2. Understand What Your Consumer Really Wants !

At the core of every successful startup is the consumer. Many of the startups we mentored were deeply focused on integrating AI, optimizing design, and making their product or service smarter. But the most important question is often: What does my customer need today? How can AI or any other technology enhance their experience, solve their problems, or make their journey with your brand more seamless? It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of innovation, but consumer-centric thinking must always come first.

3. Digesting Advice: Prioritize, Plan, and Execute

PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE!

Over the course of the accelerator program, I have often found founders overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advice and resources coming their way. Accelerators are designed to immerse you in opportunity—but that can sometimes feel like a flood. Here’s the reality: you can’t implement everything at once. The secret is to prioritize the advice and support you’re receiving based on what’s feasible in the next 3-6 months, what aligns with your current business goals, and what you can realistically execute with your existing team. It’s not about speed; it’s about progress. I have myself been guilty of NOT prioritizing this part in my earlier work stints and I wish the readers of this blog don't repeat the same mistakes.

4. Make the Incubator Time Count

Accelerators are limited-time engagements. Whether it’s three months, six months, or a year, the clock is ticking. Whether it is GFS or Techstars or YC, it’s essential to approach this window with a plan: How can we leverage every resource at our disposal, from mentorship to tools, to ensure that by the end of this program, our startup has hit key milestones? For many of the startups in the Google for Startups Initiative, that meant being crystal clear on deliverables and constantly refining their roadmaps to incorporate the most valuable advice they were receiving.

The Bottom Line: Maximize the Value of Mentorship

In the end, mentorship is only as powerful as your ability to apply it strategically. I always advise founders: Take advice with open ears, but also with a discerning mind. Understand your startup’s unique trajectory, your consumer’s evolving needs, and the real capacity your team has to implement change.

If you’re part of an accelerator, don’t just be a sponge—be a filter. Soak up the best insights, but make sure what you absorb aligns with the stage you’re at. Remember, it’s not about doing everything, it’s about doing the right things that will move the needle.

#Startups #AI #Mentorship #GoogleForStartups #Accelerators #Entrepreneurship #GrowthHacks #Innovation

Thank you to the team at Google - Parul Tyagi | Ankit Chopra | Paul Ravindranath G | Swathi Dharshna S Enisha Kalita and many other Googlers whom I missed and some inspiring mentors that I met at the program including - Faiz Malkani Devina Kothari Vivian Gomes for a great learning experience.

For the uninitiated, Programming Hub is a Google For Startups alum - Nigel Crasto and Tito Idicula were part of the first cohort way back in 2016-17!