Partnering for the Next Decade of LeapTech Innovation: Why Accel and Prosus Are Joining Forces

The only thing certain about the next decade is that technology will look fundamentally different from the last. The founders who will shape it aren’t simply writing code. They’re building at the frontier of science and engineering, re-imagining how we produce energy, design materials, move goods, and connect people.

At Accel, we’ve long believed that India’s next leap will come from this kind of work — what we call LeapTech. And for the first time, we’re bringing another believer to the table. Prosus, one of the world’s foremost technology investors, is joining us in a global alliance through Atoms X, our early-stage founder programme, to back the next generation of LeapTech builders.

LeapTech, as deeply believed at Accel, goes beyond deeptech. It represents the courage to tackle problems that take time, patience, and depth — the kind of work that demands conviction before validation. India’s scale, talent, and growing technical capability make it one of the few places where such innovation can thrive. From Jio, UPI and to the rise of home-grown manufacturing and AI-led R&D, India has shown what’s possible when engineering ambition meets purpose. The next wave of founders will push this even further by building technologies that don’t just serve markets but reshape them.

As a young country, India cannot achieve its aspirations without LeapTech — the fusion of affordability and excellence across sectors such as advanced manufacturing, energy transition, and AI-driven automation. India’s heritage has long included moments of “affordable excellence”: products and technologies that deliver world-class quality at an accessible scale.

Building Without Constraint

For Prosus, this partnership is a global first, a decision to engage with founders from Day Zero with Accel, when ideas are still forming and resources can be a constraint. It reflects our core belief of patient, long-term building, and a global view of how technology can change societies. For Accel, it’s a continuation of what we’ve always stood for: backing founders early, staying close through uncertainty, and believing in their ability to create new markets. Together, we’re signalling something important : that the boldest ideas shouldn’t be constrained by access, capital, or stage. Founders who want to build complex, enduring companies deserve investors who match their ambition with patience and scale.

Every breakthrough starts with a leap of faith. Through Atoms X, we aim to back founders at that moment — when the leap feels too large, when the outcome is unclear, but when the idea could fundamentally change how the world works. We want India’s most ambitious builders to know they don’t have to hold back. Don’t temper your vision because the road looks long or the resources are uncertain. Build with boldness; we’ll meet you there with belief, mentorship, and the right partners for every stage of growth.

Since its launch in 2021, Accel Atoms has backed more than 40 early-stage companies, over 30 percent of which have gone on to raise follow-on rounds and build category-defining businesses. With Atoms X and Prosus joining hands, we’re doubling down on the next wave — founders turning imagination into scalable reality.

Our message to them is simple: don’t be afraid to build what looks impossible. We’ll back you when it’s just an idea, and stay with you as it becomes impactful. Together, Accel and Prosus are investing in courage, conviction, and the kind of innovation that will define India’s next decade.