IT Ministry, Meta to fund 40 start-ups working in extended reality tech

The Information Technology ministry on Tuesday launched a programme in collaboration with Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, to support 40 early-stage Indian start-ups in extended reality technology (XR).

The programme will give Rs 20 lakh each to the start-ups and it will include a challenge aimed at promoting XR, a term that refers to immersive technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality, which are regarded as the building blocks of the metaverse.

“The innovators (participating in Grand Challenge) will be provided support to upscale from the R&D phase to developing workable products and services. At first