Meta Unveils Gaming Accelerator in India in Partnership with Leading VC Firms

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is taking a major step toward fostering India’s booming gaming ecosystem by launching a new incubator — the Meta Gaming Accelerator. This programme aims to equip emerging game developers and studios in India with access to Meta’s advertising technologies, AI tools, expert-led mentorship, and strategic insights.

Announced on June 17, the accelerator is being introduced in collaboration with four key venture capital firms: Bitkraft Ventures, Elevation Capital, Kalaari Capital, and Lumikai Fund.

“India’s gaming community is a hotbed of creativity and innovation, but to unlock its full potential, we need to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity,” said Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Head, Meta India.

Meta Gaming Accelerator Program Details: What Developers Can Expect

Structured Curriculum & AI Integration

The three-month initiative aims to assist 20 to 30 up-and-coming Indian game developers and studios, providing them with a structured programme that emphasizes:

• Monetisation strategies

• Cross-border scaling

• User acquisition

• Integration of Meta's AI tools, including Llama, for next-gen game development and optimisation.

This initiative also supports Meta’s broader plan to increase adoption of its Llama AI models in India — one of the largest developer communities globally.

“By combining expert sessions from Meta with structured guidance from the country’s top venture capital firms, we hope to not just empower local success stories but also create a launchpad for Indian gaming companies to scale globally,” Srinivas added.

Why India?

Gaming Market Growth & Investment Surge

India is currently one of the fastest-growing gaming markets globally. A Lumikai report shows the industry generated $3.8 billion in FY24, a 22.6% YoY growth, and is expected to surpass $9.2 billion by FY29, with a CAGR of 20% over the next five years.

“At Bitkraft Ventures, we have a front-row seat to the explosive global growth of the gaming industry… For emerging gaming markets like India, there is a big opportunity and need for the ecosystem to come together and help small and medium gaming companies,” said Anuj Tandon, Partner, Bitkraft Ventures.

Industry Voices Support Meta’s Vision

Supporting Indie Studios and Game Creators

Vamshi Reddy, Partner at Kalaari Capital, emphasized the need for ecosystem-level support:

“We’ve seen time and again that young companies with access to timely guidance, strategic resources, and a supportive ecosystem are better equipped to overcome growth hurdles and achieve success...”

He noted that the accelerator directly addresses scaling challenges faced by indie studios by giving them unmatched access to Meta’s expert network.

Meta’s Broader Commitment to Indian Gaming

Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President (India and South East Asia), Meta, previously shared Meta’s commitment to the sector:

“India is a key part of Meta’s global gaming strategy, and we’re committed to fostering innovation and growth within the developer community here.”

“Advertising is a crucial component for creators and developers to scale their businesses, especially in markets like India... Our platforms provide the tools needed to reach a global audience and grow sustainably through effective monetisation.”

Meta India Financial Performance: FY24 Snapshot

Meta’s financials reflect its growing impact in India:

• Gross advertising revenue in FY24: ₹22,730.7 crore, up 24% YoY

• Net profit: ₹504.93 crore, a 43% rise

• Revenue from operations: ₹3,034.8 crore, up 9.3%

Conclusion 

Meta’s launch of the Gaming Accelerator in India marks a pivotal moment for the country’s digital entertainment and startup ecosystem. By partnering with renowned venture capital firms like Bitkraft Ventures, Elevation Capital, Kalaari Capital, and Lumikai Fund, Meta is providing a solid foundation for indie developers and small studios to thrive globally.

With a clear focus on AI-powered game development, monetisation strategies, and user acquisition, this three-month programme is set to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity in one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in the world.

The initiative arrives at a time when India’s gaming industry is poised to cross $9.2 billion by FY29, making it a key growth frontier. Meta’s continued investment, not only financially but also strategically, reflects its broader commitment to nurturing a thriving digital ecosystem in India. As the industry evolves, programmes like these can empower the next wave of global gaming success stories to emerge from India.