WhatsApp set to invest $250,000 into India's start-up ecosystem

Will provide 500 start-ups approved by DPIIT with $500 each of Facebook ad credits

WhatsApp on Monday said it would invest $250,000 into the start-up ecosystem in India through a partnership with Startup India, taking its total investment in start-ups in the country to $500,000. 

The Facebook-owned messaging platform will provide 500 start-ups approved by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) with $500 each of Facebook ad credits. With the ad credits, the start-ups can create ads that invite customers to click open a chat on WhatsApp so they can deepen connections and increase sales.

In order to be eligible for this incentive, start-ups should be at an early traction or scalable