GRO8 Cohort 2 by 888VC

• Early-stage AI, deeptech or fintech startups seeking accelerator funding.

About this scheme

The GRO8 AI-Enabled Venture Accelerator is a 12-week program by 888VC, designed to integrate AI into daily startup operations across strategy, sales, finance, product, and fundraising. It aims to provide execution-focused support, moving beyond mere ideation for participating ventures. Each cohort consists of 12 startups, benefiting from hands-on mentoring and practical operator knowledge.

Participants receive a minimum $25,000 direct investment, with potential for $50,000-$100,000 for standout companies, and access to seed funding up to $500,000. Key support areas include GTM strategy development, investor readiness, AI automation implementation, and pitch reviews. Startups also gain a startup kit valued at $60,000 USD, along with extensive connections to a network of over 200 Seed/early stage VC funds, 1000+ angels, CFOs, and CXOs in India, and 100+ CXO/CIOs from the US, plus 50+ connected family offices. This comprehensive support facilitates accelerated growth and investor access.

Who can apply

• The program specifically targets pre-seed and seed-stage startups that have moved beyond the ideation phase and are actively building and selling their product.
• Eligible ventures must have achieved early market validation, with evidence of initial customer traction, revenue, or strong product-market fit signals.
• Applicants are required to demonstrate clear growth momentum, showing measurable progress in user acquisition, revenue, or partnerships.
• A functional product must be available in the market, supported by a well-defined go-to-market strategy and early customer feedback.
• Startups should be technology-enabled, leveraging innovation as a core component of their business model and product offering.
• The program seeks companies with an inherent global ambition, designed to scale across markets beyond their home country from the very beginning.
• Founders are expected to commit fully to the 12-week program, actively participating in mentoring sessions, workshops, and investor engagement activities.
• The accelerator focuses on sectors including Deep Tech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Consumer, Healthtech, Sustainability, Manufacturing, Fintech, and SaaS.

Benefits & funding

• Participants receive a minimum $25,000 direct investment, potential $50,000-$100,000 for standout companies, and access to seed funding up to $500,000.
• Benefits include 12-week hands-on mentoring, GTM strategy, investor readiness, AI automation, pitch reviews, a $60,000 startup kit, and extensive connections to over 200 VCs, 1000+ angels, CFOs, CXOs, and family offices for accelerated growth and investor access.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with 888VC, in your own name.

1. 1

   Applications are reviewed by 888VC for team capability, AI integration readiness, and execution orientation.

2. 2

   Selected startups join a cohort of 12 companies for the 12-week program, with standout companies eligible for $50,000, $100,000 beyond the minimum $25,000 investment.

3. 3

   The selection process emphasizes openness to embedding AI across all startup operations.

Frequently asked questions