Social media giant Facebook has joined forces with business accelerator MassChallenge to incubate a dozen Mexican startups working on projects with high social impact.

The initiative, according to Facebook, will bring new technology solutions and services for local communities, besides helping the country widen its technology talent pool.

On its part, the social media company will provide training and technical assistance, in addition to giving free access to its precious technology toolbox.

MassChallenge, reports say, will introduce the participants to ‘sprint’, a methodology that involves developing solutions in short periods of time and modifying them on the basis of feedback from end-users.

The accelerator will put the startups in contact with industry experts and potential investors. The incubation program, known as Startup Hub CDMX, includes a string of workshops and visits to the facilities of large companies.

MassChallenge is reportedly seeking to identify startups willing to use data for the common good of communities.

As for choosing startups, the accelerator will evaluate each applicant to know whether it can integrate Facebook solutions to strengthen its core business model.

The deadline for sending application is June 1 and the program will take off in the first week of July.

Facebook and MassChallenge teamed up for the first time in 2017 when they accelerated six young enterprises.

Mexico has one of the highest business creation rates among the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). SMEs represent 99.8% of companies in Mexico and generate 72.3% of employment sources in the country.