Nvidia, Global Investors Commit $850 Million to Boost India’s Deep-Tech Ecosystem
New Delhi: Global chipmaker Nvidia has partnered with a consortium of Indian and US investors to strengthen India’s rapidly expanding deep-tech ecosystem, as the India Deep Tech Alliance announced over $850 million in new capital commitments on Wednesday.
Launched in September with an initial $1 billion fund, the alliance aims to support startups innovating in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and space technology.
The latest funding round has brought in major investors including Qualcomm Ventures, Activate AI, InfoEdge Ventures, Chirate Ventures, and Kalaari Capital.
As a founding member and strategic advisor, Nvidia will provide technical mentorship, AI training, and policy guidance to help Indian startups incorporate its advanced computing tools into their products and research.
The initiative marks a significant step toward overcoming the funding challenges faced by deep-tech startups, which often struggle to attract venture capital due to long R&D cycles and uncertain profitability.
Unlike consumer-focused ventures, deep-tech startups demand long-term investment and patience to transform research-driven innovation into viable commercial solutions.
The funding push follows the Indian government’s recent announcement of a $12 billion R&D initiative to boost high-tech sectors — a move that underscores India’s ambition to shift from a services-driven economy to a manufacturing and innovation hub.
According to Nasscom, India’s deep-tech startups raised around $1.6 billion in 2023, a 78% rise from the previous year. Yet, this accounts for only one-fifth of the total $7.4 billion raised by startups across sectors, revealing a significant funding gap.
Earlier this year, an Indian minister had urged entrepreneurs to focus on advanced technologies over consumer-oriented services like grocery delivery — a remark that sparked debate but now appears aligned with the broader policy and investment trend toward cutting-edge innovation.
