In a significant move towards fostering extended reality (XR) innovation in India, HCL Tech, a leading multinational IT company, has joined hands with the XR Startup Program. This collaborative initiative, undertaken in conjunction with Meta and the MeitY Startup Hub, aims to empower and accelerate XR technology startups across the country.
The strategic partnership positions HCL Tech as a key facilitator in establishing a thriving ecosystem for Indian startups, enabling them to spearhead innovation in critical sectors like education, healthcare, and agri-tech. HCL Tech’s team of experts will extend tailored mentorship to these startups, conducting thought leadership sessions and sharing invaluable business and industry insights.
As the program progresses, the startups will gain access to HCL Tech’s global infrastructure, cutting-edge engineering technology, and innovation labs to develop, test, and validate their XR use cases.
The MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) spearheads this initiative as a key arm of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Committed to fortifying and enriching the Indian startup ecosystem, MSH focuses on nurturing technology innovation, startups, and the creation of Intellectual Properties (IPs).
Serving as a national coordination, facilitation, and monitoring center, MSH brings together all incubation centers, startups, and innovation-related activities under the purview of MeitY. Through its emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, MeitY Startup Hub has played a pivotal role in propelling India to become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem.
Extended Reality (XR) encompasses Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and related technologies. The XR Startup Program’s vision is to expedite India’s presence in shaping the metaverse and fostering the growth of XR technologies within the country.
The metaverse represents a network of interconnected digital spaces that offer immersive 3D experiences, enabling users to effortlessly navigate between these realms and engage in activities that transcend the boundaries of the physical world.
With HCL Tech’s collaboration and the XR Startup Program’s mission, India is poised to become a hub for cutting-edge XR technology development and innovation, driving advancements and opportunities in various industries.