HCLTech collaborates with Meta and MeitY to propel XR tech ecosystem in India

HCL Technologies (HCLTech), a key player in the global technology landscape, has allied with Meta and the MeitY Startup Hub to propel the XR Startup Program in India. This initiative is designed to identify, mentor, and accelerate extended reality (XR) technology startups across the country.

The Indian IT company’s participation in the XR Startup Program underscores the company’s commitment to emerging technologies and innovation, specifically in the fields of augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality. “Digital engineering is of strategic focus to HCLTech and our involvement in this program reinforces our commitment to nurturing emerging technologies and innovation to drive all-around growth,” stated Vijay Guntur, President, Engineering and R&D Services, HCLTech.

HCLTech, as a knowledge partner in this endeavor, will facilitate the development of a dynamic ecosystem for Indian startups. It will steer innovative services, as well as hardware and software solutions, concentrating on sectors such as education, healthcare, and agri-tech.

Shivnath Thukral, Director and Head Public Policy, India, Meta, expressed enthusiasm over the collaboration, noting that HCLTech’s guidance would be instrumental in furthering Meta’s vision of promoting immersive technologies and innovation in India.

Part of HCLTech’s role in the program includes providing startups with one-on-one mentorship from subject matter experts, contributing thought leadership, and offering valuable business insights. As the program evolves, participating startups could also tap into HCLTech’s global infrastructure and cutting-edge engineering technology to develop and validate their use cases.

Jeet Vijay, CEO, MeitY Startup Hub, reflected on India’s thriving startup ecosystem and the potential for XR technologies and the metaverse. He said, “Active collaboration of the academia and industry leaders provides practical guidance and support to the startups to become leaders for this new era.”

The collaboration of HCLTech, Meta, and MeitY Startup Hub in the XR Startup Program aligns with India’s aim of transforming the next decade into a ‘Techade’, thereby creating opportunities for the country’s youth while establishing a foundation for the metaverse.