In a bid to take forward its mission to connect the next billion users, Facebook on Thursday said it will finance and support developers making applications that will be useful to first time users on the Internet. The social media giant has partnered Nasscom’s 10,000 Start-up initiative.

Under this partnership, Facebook and Nasscom will be launching a new programme for developers and students called ‘Leaders Building for the Next Billion’. It will help developers and students who are building large-scale innovative apps and mobile websites for new-to-internet users by providing them with technical and financial support and resources

Through an application process, 10 developers who have demonstrated a commitment to build for new-to-internet populations will be accepted to a six-month programme. They will be provided with technical, marketing, and financial support, and leadership skills, to build their applications and businesses.

They will also be connected to industry 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.

Facebook will fund the creation of this track at Nasscom 10,000 Start-ups and welcomes partnerships with other technology leaders to strengthen and expand the programme. The participants will also qualify for $80,000 worth of support.

As a part of the programme, students (4 students per college across 10-15 colleges) will be selected through an application process, to build mobile applications relevant to the next billion.

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