Facebook to be the First Partner for the next billion Program

Aims to empower the developer community
                                                                                                                              
Bengaluru, 15th October 2015: The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) today announced the introduction of the Leaders Building for the Next Billion Program. The aim of program is to inspire large-scale innovation for new internet users by supporting and spotlighting developers who are building innovative apps and mobile websites for these communities.

NASSCOM 10,000 Startups is a vision, which is committed to incubate, fund and provide support to impact 10,000 technology startups in India, by 2023. The aim is to nurture the promising startups into full-fledged technology stalwart companies, by giving them support via access to startup incubators, accelerators, angel investors, venture capitalists, startup support groups, mentors, and technology corporations.

The next billion program introduced in India by NASSCOM 10000 Startups will invite developers and students through an application process wherein 10 developers will be selected who will demonstrate a commitment to build for new-to-internet populations, and hence will be part of a six-month program. The developers will be provided with technical, marketing, and financial support, and leadership skills, to build their applications and businesses. They will further be connected to industry leaders such as CEOs, thought leaders, VCs, ecosystem evangelists, social change leaders, funders and the media to bring public attention to their commitment, solutions and impact such that they inspire many other developers to build innovative solutions for new-to-internet users.

Further, students will be selected through application process to build mobile application relevant to the next billion and lead engagement with engineers, designers, and other students on campus interested in applying their talent to build mobile applications that are relevant to the next billion. There will be four students per campus across seven different universities.

Facebook is the first partner for the next billion programs. NASSCOM 10,000 Startups is a platform for technology startups to get connected to all the players in the ecosystem from angel networks to venture capital firms, accelerators, enterprises and industry bodies. NASSCOM shortlists information technology companies with a product focus which can be a pure software play or also a combination of hardware and software. NASSCOM helps startups with funding, incubation, acceleration, mentoring, industry connects, and showcase opportunities.