Change Engine Accelerator Program to Invest $5 Million in Early-Stage AI Startups

• Change Engine will support 6 AI startups developing ML stack technologies and business applications from India for the world.
• The 6-month accelerator program features a cutting-edge sandbox for building AI  products, a customer advisory board in Silicon Valley, and a mentor network of successful entrepreneurs.
• Change Engine founders bring over 35 years of cumulative experience in building and supporting successful AI B2B SaaS startups selling to Fortune 500 companies globally.
• The founders hold multiple AI publications in top conferences and global patents.

Gurugram, Haryana, India | 11^th March, 2025: Change Engine, a premier startup accelerator and ecosystem builder based in Gurugram, today announced its bold plan to invest over $5M over the next five years in early-stage AI startups from India. The initiative is focused on  nurturing 6 high-potential AI startups annually, driving innovation in machine learning stack technologies and business applications that serve global markets. 

“At the heart of the accelerator is our commitment to building second-generation AI  products from India—solutions that go beyond superficial implementations to deliver robust, scalable, and tailor-made innovations. Our 6-month program provides startups with  a state-of-the-art sandbox environment, comprehensive support in product development,  and a global mentor network. Each year, we will seed 6 startups with $50K each, followed by up to $150K through syndication, paving the way for over $5M in total investment over  the next three years,” said Varun Aggarwal, Founder of Change Engine. 

Change Engine has been instrumental in building the AI ecosystem in Delhi NCR, hosting events such as the AI Product Bootcamp at IIT Delhi, where over 40 AI enthusiasts received hands-on training from industry veterans at companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon.  Previously, Change Engine has also done work around understanding the AI research work done by India vis-à-vis other countries. Change Engine also runs a popular podcast based on  AI where they call prominent personalities in the field of academia, corporate, and startups in the area of AI. 

Change engine’s previous cohorts have already achieved significant milestones—Sonic Lambs was featured on Shark Tank India Season 4 and secured Rs 50L in funding, while CallPrep was spotlighted in Nikhil Kamath’s WTFund list. Many other startups are well on their way to achieving product-market fit and raising capital.

A distinguishing feature of the Change Engine accelerator is its unique Customer Advisory Board, which brings together industry leaders from top US organizations—including  Amazon, Google, McKinsey, and Adobe—to provide real-world insights, validate ideas, and refine go-to-market strategies. 

“Change Engine isn’t just an accelerator; it’s a launchpad for breakthrough AI innovations.  We are here to empower the next generation of AI entrepreneurs with the funding, mentorship, and industry connections they need to transform their ideas into impactful products,” added Aggarwal.

About Change Engine 

Based in Gurgaon, Change Engine is a startup accelerator dedicated to building a vibrant AI  ecosystem in India. By supporting early-stage startups with capital, mentorship, and strategic industry networks, Change Engine aims to drive innovation and position India as a global leader in AI.

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