MeitY, Meta select 120 startups and innovators for XR Startup Program

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Meta have selected 120 startups and innovators in the extended reality (XR) space for the XR Startup Program. XR is a catch-all term for technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality. The program was announced in September 2022 by MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) and Meta to identify and support XR technology startups in the country.

This program includes an Accelerator and a Grand Challenge to boost the emerging tech sector in the country. The 40 early-stage startups in XR technologies selected under the Accelerator program will be given ₹20 lakh each. The Grand Challenge, on the other hand, will support early-stage innovators in sectors like education, healthcare, gaming and entertainment, agritech, and climate actions, among others.

Individual innovators will be provided support to transition from the research and development phase to creating working products and services. Initially, 80 innovators will attend a boot camp. Select 16 of this cohort will be offered a grant of ₹20 lakh each to develop minimum viable product (MVP) and products. 

Startups and individual innovators will be supported to establish customer connections, partnership opportunities, and fundraising, among others. Out of the selected startups for the Accelerated Program, 30% belong to tier II and III cities. In the Grand Challenge, 40% of the selected startups and individuals are from tier-II and III cities; 20% of the cohort either has woman innovators or startups founded by woman founders/co-founders, the official statement said.

The implementation partners of this program include the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC) (West Zone), and the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad, among others.

“The collaboration with Meta will provide the necessary impetus in supporting and scaling up Indian startups,” said Jeet Vijay, chief executive officer of MSH. 

Shivnath Thukral, director public policy, Meta India, said, “India is undergoing a significant digital transformation backed by immersive technologies across sectors like education, healthcare, agritech and tourism. Combined with a robust startup ecosystem and a strong tech talent pool, the startups and innovators from tier II & III towns are well poised to shape the digital future of the country. Initiatives like the XR Startup Program with MeitY Startup Hub, will further act as a catalyst to the growth of technology startups and innovators across India.”