Meta Launches Gaming Accelerator in India

Meta has introduced its Gaming Accelerator programme in India, designed to aid small and medium-sized gaming developers and studios nationwide. Launched at the Meta Marketing Summit – Gaming Edition, this initiative is poised to create fresh growth avenues in India’s rapidly evolving gaming industry.

Partnership with Leading Venture Capital Firms

The accelerator is being implemented in collaboration with four prominent venture capital firms: Bitkraft Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Lumikai Fund, and Elevation Capital. In its initial phase, the programme aims to assist 20 to 30 promising Indian developers through a tailored curriculum concentrating on monetisation, user acquisition, global expansion, and AI integration.

Support for the Evolving Gaming Landscape

At a time when India’s gaming sector is changing swiftly due to mobile-first accessibility, creator-driven momentum, and new technologies, this initiative is designed to provide structured support and valuable growth pathways for developers, as stated by Meta during the summit.

Key Features of the Accelerator

An important aspect of the accelerator will be sessions focused on how developers can implement Meta’s AI tools, such as the large language model Llama, into game development and enhancing player experience. The programme also includes:

• Training on ad monetisation and Meta platform integration using Meta Ads and Audience Network
• Workshops on player acquisition strategies and campaign effectiveness
• In-depth exploration of AI-driven tools for personalisation, narrative design, and gameplay mechanics
• Mentorship on fundraising and business modelling from VC partners and experts
• Assistance for cross-border expansion and entering international markets

Showcase of Innovations

The accelerator will culminate in a Demo Day, where participating developers will present their game innovations and growth stories to investors, Meta executives, and the broader gaming industry. The best-performing studios may enjoy additional exposure within Meta’s ecosystem and have access to potential funding opportunities.

Expert Insights on the Initiative

Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Head of Meta India, explained that India’s gaming community is a hotbed of creativity and innovation. However, unlocking its full potential requires bridging the gap between talent and opportunity. The Meta Gaming Accelerator is set to provide Indian gaming developers with access to advanced advertising tools, expert guidance, and critical support essential for scaling their businesses. By integrating expert sessions from Meta with structured mentorship from top venture capital firms in the country, Meta hopes to empower local successes and lay the groundwork for Indian gaming companies to expand on a global scale.

Meta highlighted that this initiative aligns with its broader mission to stimulate India’s digital economy, cultivate creative talent, and facilitate technology-led entrepreneurship.

Industry Leaders Support the Accelerator

“At BITKRAFT Ventures, we have witnessed the explosive global growth of the gaming industry, encompassing a portfolio of over 140 companies across six continents. For emerging gaming markets like India, there exists a significant opportunity for the ecosystem to unite and assist small and medium gaming companies. Hence, we are excited to partner with Meta on the Gaming Accelerator, a commendable initiative aimed at enabling the ecosystem, unlocking new opportunities, and expediting the growth of India’s gaming sector,” stated Anuj Tandon, Partner at BITKRAFT Ventures.

“The future of India’s gaming industry is poised for significant growth, yet it requires additional support to realise its full potential. We continually observe that young companies benefit from timely guidance, strategic resources, and a nurturing ecosystem, which equips them to navigate growth challenges successfully. Hence, initiatives like Meta’s Gaming Accelerator are essential, directly addressing the scaling obstacles faced by independent studios and providing unparalleled access to Meta’s experts for sustained growth in this dynamic market,” shared Vamshi Reddy, Partner at Kalaari Capital.

“Our fund considers this a strategic partnership that ensures our portfolio companies, especially those in early and growth stages, receive the specific support necessary to excel in user acquisition and retention strategies,” remarked Salone Sehgal, Founder and Managing Partner at Lumikai Fund.

Parth Chadha, Co-Founder and CEO at STAN, noted, “Meta’s Gaming Accelerator is a pivotal move to enhance India’s game development ecosystem, propelling the gaming industry to new levels. At STAN, this initiative is viewed as a catalyst for innovation, AI integration, and global scalability. It will undoubtedly empower developers to create world-class experiences tailored for the mobile-first, creator-driven gaming audience in India and beyond. STAN aligns closely with this vision and has partnered with DLabs at ISB for the GameX 2.0 accelerator to energise the creator-led gaming economy. Initiatives such as these will elevate the Indian gaming industry to unprecedented heights.”