Google for Startups and Scaler launch ‘Prompt to Prototype’ for Indian founders; check details

Google for Startups, in collaboration with Scaler, has announced the launch of Startup School: Prompt to Prototype, an intensive two-week program designed to help early-stage founders, startup teams, and aspiring entrepreneurs transform their ideas into AI-powered prototypes.

Running from November 27 to December 7, 2025, the program blends technical skill-building with hands-on experimentation using Google’s latest AI tools.

Despite India’s fast-growing startup base, over 180,000 strong, fewer than 2% are AI-native. This imbalance, occurring amid a global shift where AI fluency has become a new marker of innovation, highlights a structural opportunity for Indian founders.

The Prompt to Prototype initiative is positioned to bridge that divide by removing coding barriers and enabling non-technical innovators to create functional AI products with ease.

Participants will engage in live, expert-led sessions and workshops that cover ideation, design, and deployment using Google’s advanced tools such as Gemini, Nano Banana, Imagen, Veo, NotebookLM, and AI Studio. The curriculum focuses on transforming an idea into a working prototype while instilling a deeper understanding of AI-driven product design.

Abhimanyu Saxena, co-founder of Scaler, said the collaboration reflects a shared mission to democratise access to high-impact technology skills.

“At Scaler, our focus has always been on bridging the gap between talent and opportunity. With Prompt to Prototype, we’re taking a major step towards empowering India’s founders to build AI-first products faster and smarter. In an era of technological shifts that can create uncertainty, this program offers a clear pathway for individuals not only to adapt but to thrive as creators and innovators. Together with Google for Startups, we’re showing that innovation no longer needs to be gated by code but just curiosity, creativity, and the right tools,” he said.

“At Google for Startups, our goal is to make the power of AI accessible to every founder and not just those with technical expertise. Through ‘Startup School: Prompt to Prototype,’ we’re enabling entrepreneurs to move from concept to creation faster and with greater confidence. By combining Google’s AI ecosystem with Scaler’s strong learning network, we hope to inspire a new generation of Indian founders who can turn bold ideas into transformative products,” said Ragini Das, Head of Google for Startups – India.

The program’s design emphasises tangible outcomes, giving participants practical exposure to using AI in essential startup functions. They will learn to create AI-driven assistants, synthesise market insights through NotebookLM, and generate brand assets using Gemini Canvas and Imagen. The sessions will also cover AI prototyping, model control, and automated code generation, culminating in full web applications built and deployed directly through Cloud Run.

At the end of the program, founders will submit their prototypes for review. A select few will be invited to present their innovations at the Build the Future Showcase in January 2026, where Google mentors will guide them on refining and scaling their ventures further.

Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Startup India, India AI Mission, and NASSCOM, the initiative aligns with the national vision of fostering a deep-tech-driven economy. Graduates of the program will receive a Google-recognised certificate validating their AI skills and gain access to Scaler’s growing network of founders, technologists, and investors.