XR Startup Program
A programme by AIC SMUTBI
Closed. A Meta and MeitY Startup Hub programme for extended reality startups, run and managed by AIC-SMUTBI, with an accelerator and a grand challenge.
At a glance
| Best for | Early-stage AR, VR and mixed reality startups |
|---|---|
| Stage | Prototype – MVP |
| Duration | 6 months |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Meta, MeitY Startup Hub |
About XR Startup Program
The XR Startup Program was a collaboration between Meta and MeitY Startup Hub, and AIC-SMUTBI was one of the implementation partners that ran and managed it. Applications are closed — the accelerator took applications in August and September 2022 and started its cohort in January 2023.
What you get
- Accelerator: a six-month programme for 10 early-stage XR startups, with grant support, mentorship from industry experts and researchers, introductions to strategic partners and investors, technology and infrastructure support, and slots at industry events
- Grand Challenge: 20 shortlisted innovators received grant support and a place at a bootcamp, and four of them were backed further to build prototypes and MVPs, in agritech and climate action, tourism and sustainability
Who can apply
- Early-stage startups building software, services or hardware on XR technologies
- At least one full-time founder
- Prototype, MVP or pre-revenue stage
- Registered with DPIIT, or eligible and willing to register
How to apply: the programme is closed. Ten startups went through the accelerator cohort, including AATWRI Aerospace & Defence, Akumen Artificial Intelligence, MeMeraki Retail and Tech, peAR Technologies and Aveti Learning.
Where to apply
Other AIC SMUTBI programmes
- Incubation ProgramThe centre's rolling incubation track — about 20 weeks of structured work, with space, labs, mentoring and seed grant support on the SMIT campus.
- Digi-SAPNE 2.0 (Startup Acceleration Program for North East)A growth programme for startups solving North East India problems with technology, supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- Royal Norwegian Fellowship GrantClosed. A fellowship on community innovations in battery energy storage, run with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi, Innovation Norway and TERI.
- Startup School 2.0Closed. A sector-agnostic programme run with the Wadhwani Foundation to get early-stage founders pitch-ready and able to raise pre-seed capital.
- Startup Manipur Acceleration Program (SMAP) 1.0Closed. A three-month sector-agnostic programme for startups from Manipur, run in late 2022.