The global technology landscape is constantly evolving, and for those closely watching the pulse of innovation, especially within the cryptocurrency and blockchain space, the foundations of future tech are paramount. A truly transformative shift is underway in India, poised to reshape the global deep tech arena. Major players like NVIDIA and Qualcomm Ventures are now joining a powerful coalition of U.S. and Indian venture capital firms, collectively committing over $1 billion to fuel the next generation of India deep tech startups. This monumental backing signifies a pivotal moment for a nation rapidly becoming a hotbed for groundbreaking innovation, promising ripple effects across various tech sectors, including those underpinning decentralized technologies.
Unlocking the Future: Why India Deep Tech is Drawing Global Attention
India’s startup ecosystem, home to over 180,000 startups and more than 120 unicorns, has long been recognized for its dynamism. While its early years often mirrored Western business models, a significant evolution has occurred. The focus has decisively shifted towards building ventures that tackle complex, infrastructure-scale problems. We’re talking about everything from launching satellites and electrifying transportation networks to designing cutting-edge semiconductors and developing advanced AI solutions.
This strategic pivot is not accidental. The Indian government has actively sought to accelerate this shift, understanding the critical importance of technological sovereignty in an increasingly competitive global environment. Yet, capital for such ambitious undertakings has historically been scarce. Deep tech ventures, by their very nature, demand longer gestation periods and often carry higher perceived risks than traditional sectors, making them less appealing to conventional venture capital models. This is precisely where the new coalition steps in, aiming to bridge that crucial funding gap and propel India deep tech into a new era of growth.
The Powerhouse Coalition: NVIDIA and Qualcomm Join the Fray
The genesis of this impactful movement began in September with the launch of the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA), spearheaded by Silicon Valley- and India-based Celesta Capital. This alliance was formed with a clear mission: to bring together leading investors to support India’s burgeoning deep tech ecosystem. Initially, seven major U.S. and Indian investors committed to the cause, including Accel, Blume Ventures, Premji Invest, Gaja Capital, Ideaspring Capital, Tenacity Ventures, and Venture Catalysts.
The recent additions of NVIDIA and Qualcomm Ventures mark a significant expansion of this already formidable group. Qualcomm Ventures has joined with six additional Indian venture firms—Activate AI, Chiratae Ventures, InfoEdge Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Singularity Holdings, and YourNest Venture Capital—bringing additional capital commitments totaling more than $850 million. This collective strength aims to provide not just funding but also crucial mentorship and network access to Indian deep tech startups over the next five to ten years.
NVIDIA‘s Strategic Role: Beyond Financial Commitments
While NVIDIA has not made direct financial commitments to the alliance, its participation as a strategic technical advisor is arguably just as valuable, if not more so, for the development of India deep tech. The U.S. chipmaker, whose market value has surged amidst the global boom in AI and accelerated computing, brings unparalleled expertise to the table. NVIDIA will advise on best practices for integrating its AI and accelerated computing platforms, offering critical guidance to emerging startups.
Furthermore, NVIDIA plans to offer technical talks and training through its Deep Learning Institute, fostering a new generation of skilled deep tech professionals. The company will also contribute to policy dialogues between industry and government, helping to advance India’s deep-tech capabilities at a systemic level. Vishal Dhupar, NVIDIA’s managing director for South Asia, emphasized that the company will share technical insights and scalable computing resources, stating that NVIDIA’s support is a significant validation of the ecosystem’s potential.
Qualcomm‘s Investment Focus: A Dual Approach to Deep Tech
Unlike NVIDIA, Qualcomm is joining the alliance with a clear investment focus, adding substantial capital to the coalition’s commitments. The San Diego-based chipmaker has a long history of investing in India, with its first investment dating back to 2008. Notable early bets include Google Maps rival MapmyIndia, which successfully went public in late 2021, and Indian drone maker IdeaForge, publicly listed since 2023. These examples highlight Qualcomm’s proven track record in identifying and nurturing innovative Indian companies.
However, Qualcomm‘s participation extends beyond mere capital infusion. Rama Bethmangalkar, India managing director at Qualcomm Ventures, indicated that the firm plans to actively help deep tech startups connect with its extensive network of portfolio companies, partner ecosystems, and internal teams within Qualcomm. This holistic approach, combining financial backing with strategic support, is designed to give Indian deep tech ventures a significant edge, enabling them to navigate challenges and scale effectively.
The Government’s Vision: Catalyzing Deep Tech Startups with ₹1 Trillion
The timing of this private sector coalition aligns perfectly with the Indian government’s ambitious initiatives. India’s new ₹1 trillion (around $12 billion) Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme, approved by the Indian cabinet earlier this year and rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a game-changer. This massive initiative is designed to fund projects in critical areas such such as energy security and transition, quantum computing, robotics, space tech, biotech, and artificial intelligence.
The RDI scheme will provide support through long-term loans, equity infusions, and allocations to deep-tech funds of funds. The venture capital firms participating in the India Deep Tech Alliance plan to strategically leverage this government initiative, channeling resources and support to Indian-domiciled deep tech startups. This synergistic approach between public and private capital is expected to create a fertile ground for innovation, addressing the long-standing challenge of capital scarcity for deep tech ventures.
Collaborative Ecosystem: The Path Forward for India Deep Tech
Sriram Viswanathan, founding managing partner of Celesta Capital and a founding executive council member of the IDTA, describes the alliance as a ‘coalition of the willing,’ emphasizing its collaborative spirit. While participating investors continue to run their own programs, the alliance fosters a crucial environment for sharing knowledge, deal flow, and best practices. This collective intelligence is invaluable for navigating the complexities of deep tech investments.
Although the exact individual capital contributions remain flexible, the collective commitment signifies a powerful endorsement of India’s deep tech potential. India’s deep-tech funding rose 78% year-over-year to $1.6 billion in 2024, according to a report by IT industry body Nasscom and global consulting firm Zinnov. While this growth is promising, it still trails behind developed markets like the U.S. The IDTA is poised not only to increase this figure but, more importantly, to draw global attention, attracting further investors and corporate venture funds to India’s dynamic startup ecosystem. The vision is clear: to cultivate a generation of ‘role models’ that will eventually lead to deeply science- and tech-oriented firms listed on India’s main exchanges within the next decade.
Conclusion: A New Dawn for Indian Innovation
The combined force of NVIDIA‘s technical prowess, Qualcomm‘s strategic investments, and the collaborative spirit of leading venture capital firms within the India Deep Tech Alliance, all harmonized with the Indian government’s ambitious RDI scheme, signals a new dawn for India deep tech. This unprecedented alignment of capital, expertise, and policy support is set to accelerate India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in frontier technologies. The ecosystem is ripe for a transformative period, promising a wave of innovation that will not only solve complex national challenges but also contribute significantly to the global technological landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA)?
A1: The India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) is a coalition of U.S. and Indian investors, spearheaded by Celesta Capital, formed to bridge the capital gap for deep tech startups in India. It aims to invest capital, provide mentorship, and offer network access.
Q2: What is NVIDIA’s role in the IDTA?
A2: NVIDIA has joined the IDTA as a strategic technical advisor, without financial commitments. It will provide guidance on AI and accelerated computing platforms, offer technical training through the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute, and contribute to policy dialogues to advance India’s deep-tech capabilities.
Q3: How is Qualcomm Ventures participating in the alliance?
A3: Qualcomm Ventures is participating with additional capital commitments, alongside several Indian venture firms. Beyond funding, Qualcomm plans to help startups connect with its portfolio companies, partner networks, and internal teams.
Q4: What is the Indian government’s ₹1 trillion RDI scheme?
A4: The ₹1 trillion (around $12 billion) Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme, rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is an initiative to fund projects in areas like energy, quantum computing, robotics, space tech, biotech, and AI through long-term loans, equity infusions, and allocations to deep-tech funds of funds.
Q5: Which venture capital firms are part of the IDTA?
A5: Initial members include Celesta Capital, Accel, Blume Ventures, Premji Invest, Gaja Capital, Ideaspring Capital, Tenacity Ventures, and Venture Catalysts. Recent additions with Qualcomm Ventures include Activate AI, Chiratae Ventures, InfoEdge Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Singularity Holdings, and YourNest Venture Capital.