Google for Startups
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGoogle's global program for supporting startups through accelerators, community spaces, education, mentoring, and access to Google technologies.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Google for Startups is Google's international initiative for helping entrepreneurs and early-stage companies develop, validate, and expand their businesses. Launched in 2011 under the name Google for Entrepreneurs, the program combines startup education, accelerator activity, mentoring, community events, technology access, and partnerships with local entrepreneurial organizations. It is not a single software product or venture-capital fund; rather, it is an umbrella platform through which Google supports startup ecosystems in different countries and cities. A prominent part of the program has historically been its network of physical coworking and community locations, commonly associated with the Google Campus name. These spaces have hosted workshops, conferences, hackathons, residency programs, networking events, and informal activities for founders and technology communities. Local programming has varied according to the needs of each market. Topics have included blockchain, the Internet of Things, financial technology, machine learning, cloud computing, digital marketing, product management, sales, and intellectual-property issues. Some sessions have been delivered by Google employees, while others have been organized with outside founders, mentors, investors, educators, and community groups. The first major Google Campus opened in London in March 2012, followed by Tel Aviv in December of that year. The network later expanded into Asia and South America, with a Seoul location opening in 2015 and a São Paulo location following in 2016. By 2019, locations associated with the initiative included cities such as London, Tel Aviv, Madrid, Seoul, Warsaw, São Paulo, Tokyo, and Berlin in various stages of operation or planning. Google also worked with local startup communities beyond its directly branded spaces, allowing the program to reach a broader international audience. In October 2018, Google for Entrepreneurs was renamed Google for Startups. The change aligned the identity more directly with the language used by founders and with Google's broader effort to organize startup-facing programs, accelerator partnerships, and technology resources under one brand. Depending on the market and program, participating companies may receive structured instruction, technical guidance, workspace or community access, product education, and opportunities to connect with Google's ecosystem. Google Cloud and other Google products have been recurring subjects of technical sessions, although the program's purpose is broader than promoting any one product. Google has reported that startups connected with its Campus network collectively raised more than $250 million and created more than 4,600 jobs, although these figures are historical company claims rather than independently presented consolidated financial results. The program's physical-space model has also faced criticism. Observers have questioned whether branded startup campuses prioritize lightweight application businesses or Google's own marketing interests over deeper ecosystem development. Plans for a Berlin campus generated local concerns about gentrification and culminated in protests and the cancellation of the planned site. During the COVID-19 period, Google did not reopen its East London campus, reflecting both pandemic disruption and the wider move toward remote and distributed work. Google for Startups remains best understood as a global startup-support platform whose activities can differ substantially by location and by cohort. Its role combines community building with access to education, mentors, events, accelerators, and Google technology. The brand's influence therefore depends not only on its physical campuses but also on partnerships, online resources, regional accelerator programs, and the continuing involvement of Google teams.
History
Google for Startups began in 2011 as Google for Entrepreneurs, an initiative intended to connect Google's resources with startup founders and local technology communities. Its model differed from that of a conventional venture-capital investor: the program focused on education, mentoring, community formation, events, accelerator partnerships, and access to Google's products and expertise. The initiative could therefore operate through both Google-managed activities and relationships with local organizations. The physical Campus network became one of the program's most visible features. Campus London opened in East London in March 2012 and served as a venue for founder events, workshops, networking, and startup-oriented community activity. Campus Tel Aviv followed in December 2012. These early sites established a repeatable model in which entrepreneurs could access coworking-style facilities, practical programming, and contacts within a local technology ecosystem while benefiting from Google's international brand and technical network. The initiative subsequently broadened its geographic reach. Seoul became the first Asian Campus in 2015, and São Paulo became the first South American Campus in 2016. Other locations associated with the network included Madrid, Warsaw, Tokyo, and Berlin at different points in the program's development. Programming was adapted to local conditions and languages. Events covered both technical subjects—such as machine learning, cloud computing, fintech, blockchain, and the Internet of Things—and operational topics including marketing, product management, sales, and intellectual property. Hackathons, conferences, startup residencies, mentoring sessions, and wellness activities were also part of the wider community offering. Google employees periodically participated in the program by providing technical discussions, sales instruction, product education, and broader workshops. Google Cloud and other Google platforms were recurring subjects, giving founders exposure to tools that could support software development, infrastructure, analytics, and growth. At the same time, the initiative faced criticism that some Campus activity favored relatively light application businesses and served Google's marketing objectives as much as it strengthened local startup ecosystems. Berlin became a notable test of the physical-campus model. Google planned a site in Kreuzberg in 2017, but local residents and campaigners raised concerns about gentrification and the effect of a major technology company on the neighborhood. Protests intensified in 2018, including a temporary occupation of the building site and arrests reported by eyewitnesses. Google ultimately abandoned the Campus plan in October 2018 and stated that the site would go to two local charities. In October 2018, Google for Entrepreneurs adopted the name Google for Startups. The rebranding gave the program a more direct and contemporary description and helped place its activities within Google's broader startup ecosystem. The initiative continued to encompass accelerators, startup education, partnerships, and technology support rather than relying solely on physical locations. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the Campus model. In June 2021, Google decided not to reopen the East London location, a decision associated with the wider transition toward remote work. This did not eliminate the broader Google for Startups concept, but it highlighted the changing balance between permanent coworking spaces and distributed, online, or partner-led programming. Google has claimed that startups connected with its Campuses collectively raised more than $250 million and generated over 4,600 jobs; these are historical aggregate claims made by Google rather than audited program-wide financial disclosures. Today, Google for Startups is best characterized as a distributed global support platform. Its exact services vary by country, cohort, and partner, but the common purpose is to help founders gain knowledge, connections, mentorship, accelerator support, and access to Google's technology ecosystem.
- 2021
East London Campus is not reopened
[1]Google decides not to reopen the East London Campus following the pandemic-era shift toward remote work.
- 2018
Program renamed Google for Startups
[1]Google for Entrepreneurs is rebranded as Google for Startups.
- 2018
Berlin Campus plan is cancelled
[1]Google drops its planned Kreuzberg Campus after local opposition and says the site will be used by two charities.
- 2016
Campus São Paulo opens
[1]Google opens the first South American Campus in São Paulo, Brazil.
- 2015
First Asian Campus opens in Seoul
[1]Seoul becomes the first Asian city to host a Google Campus location.
- 2012
Campus London opens
[1]The first major Google Campus opens in East London and begins hosting startup events, workshops, and community activities.
- 2012
Campus Tel Aviv opens
[1]Google expands the Campus network to Tel Aviv.
- 2011
Google for Entrepreneurs launches
[1]Google launches the startup-support initiative that was initially known as Google for Entrepreneurs.
Products and positioning
A global startup-support platform that combines Google's technology ecosystem with local founder communities, practical education, mentoring, accelerators, and events.
Accelerator program
Google for Startups Accelerators
Cohort-based support for selected startups, generally combining structured instruction, mentoring, technical guidance, and access to Google's network. The specific curriculum and eligibility criteria can vary by region and theme.
Startup community space · 2012
Google Campus
A network of Google-associated coworking and community venues created for technology entrepreneurs. Locations have hosted workshops, conferences, hackathons, networking events, residencies, and informal founder activities, with programming adapted to local markets.
Entrepreneur education · 2011
Founder workshops and events
Practical sessions for founders and startup teams covering subjects such as product management, digital marketing, sales, machine learning, cloud computing, fintech, blockchain, and intellectual property. Events may be led by Google employees or external community contributors.
Technology support
Google for Startups Cloud support
Startup-facing access, education, and technical guidance connected with Google Cloud and related Google technologies. The offering is intended to help early-stage companies build, operate, and scale digital products.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Berlin Campus development
Germany
Google planned a Campus location in Berlin's Kreuzberg district as part of its expansion of physical startup spaces.
Outcome. The plan was abandoned in 2018 after local opposition and protests; Google said the building would be used by two local charities.
Brand decisions
2021
Do not reopen Campus LondonStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated remote work and weakened the rationale for some permanent coworking facilities.
Action taken
Google decided not to reopen its East London Campus after the pandemic period.
Aftermath
The decision underscored a shift away from dependence on physical campuses while the wider Google for Startups program continued through distributed and partner-led activities.
2018
Rename Google for Entrepreneurs as Google for StartupsStrategyBackground
Google sought a name that more directly described its startup-focused activities and aligned with the terminology used by founders and startup communities.
Action taken
The company changed the program's public identity to Google for Startups.
Aftermath
The renamed brand continued to cover accelerators, events, community partnerships, mentoring, and access to Google technologies.
2018
Cancel the planned Berlin CampusStrategyBackground
The proposed Kreuzberg site attracted criticism concerning gentrification and the role of a large technology company in the neighborhood. Protesters temporarily occupied the site in 2018.
Action taken
Google dropped the Campus project and stated that the site would be given to two local charities.
Aftermath
Berlin did not join the operating Campus network as originally planned, and the dispute became an example of the community and urban-development challenges facing branded startup spaces.
Recent events
- 2021
Google does not reopen its East London Campus after the pandemic[1]
Other
Google decided not to reopen the East London Campus after the COVID-19 period, amid a broader shift toward remote and distributed work.
- 2018
Google for Entrepreneurs is renamed Google for Startups[1]
Leadership change
Google changed the program's name to Google for Startups, bringing its identity closer to the terminology used by founders and startup ecosystems.
- 2018
Google abandons planned Berlin Campus[1]
Campaign · Other
Following local opposition and protests concerning the proposed Kreuzberg site and possible gentrification, Google dropped plans for the Berlin Campus and said the building would be transferred to two local charities.
- 2012
Google Campus London opens in East London[1]
Other
Google opened its first major Campus location in London, creating a physical community and event space for technology entrepreneurs.
- 2012
Campus Tel Aviv launches[1]
Other
The initiative expanded its physical startup-space network to Tel Aviv, one of the world's prominent technology hubs.
Sources2 sources
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