Over $20 mn to start-ups in India, thanks to FbStart

NEW DELHI: FbStart, a new program from Facebook designed to help early stage mobile startups, has distributed benefits worth over $50 million to Asia Pacific app developers, of the total amount $20 million went to start-ups in India only.

More developers are building apps with Facebook in India than any other country outside the US and today, more than 75 percent of top-grossing apps in India are integrated with Facebook. Of the $50 million in benefits distributed to Asia Pacific startups through FbStart.

And this week, FbStart will be visiting developers in Bengaluru and Gurgaon with full-day events dedicated to helping them grow their businesses.

"With millions of people still not yet connected to the Internet in India and around the world, there is a huge opportunity for mobile developers to build some of the first experiences people have with the Internet. Through programs like FbStart and the Internet.org Platform, announced earlier this summer, we’re working with developers to build better mobile experiences that demonstrate the power of the internet," a release said.

FbStart events were held in Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and India as part of the FbStart World Tour, where FBStart met with program members and local developers.

"I’m incredibly excited to be back in India this week. There’s an amazing opportunity for Indian-based developers to work with Facebook to grow their businesses, and we are doubling down on our investment in the country through programs like FbStart and the Internet.org Platform," said Strategic Partnerships Director Ime Archibong.