For the third batch of its accelerator program, Atoms, venture capital firm Accel revealed eight pre-seed companies developing in the AI and Industry 5.0 areas. Among the startups in the cohort are Spintly, Asets, Tune AI, Skoob, Arivihan, and Meritic.

Accel offers a six-month pre-seed accelerator program called Atoms. During that time, the cohort can get up to $500,000 in capital, gain access to exclusive benefits from Accel's network partners, receive individualized coaching, and engage with founders of portfolio companies and previous Atoms cohorts.

Since the program's inception, the 24 entrepreneurs that were a part of the two prior Atoms cohorts have raised more than $200 million in capital, according to the firm. Atoms changed its focus from being sector-agnostic to Industry 5.0 and AI in its third edition. Partner at Accel Prayank Swaroop leads the AI domain, while Barath Shankar Subramanian leads the Industry 5.0 domain.

"By switching to a thematic program design for Atoms 3.0, we are able to provide the companies more in-depth, sector-specific mentorship. According to Prayank Swaroop, "Atoms has always limited itself to smaller cohort sizes to stay hyper-focused on the needs of a smaller group of exceptional founders."