Qualcomm, the US-based semiconductor and telecommunications giant, has announced plans to invest up to $150 million in Indian startups through its venture arm, Qualcomm Ventures, via the Strategic AI Venture Fund. The fund will focus on artificial intelligence and deep technology startups across stages, with particular emphasis on sectors like automotive, IoT, robotics, mobile technologies, and edge computing. The initiative aims to support startups developing AI and edge-AI applications for devices, industrial systems, and connected platforms that rely on on-device processing.
Beyond providing capital, Qualcomm intends to work closely with startup founders on product development, go-to-market strategies, and global partnerships, strengthening the development of AI-native products for both domestic and export markets. The investment aligns with India’s increasing policy support for semiconductor manufacturing and AI innovation. Qualcomm Ventures has previously backed Indian startups across mobility, enterprise SaaS, consumer internet, and hardware, and this fund expands its portfolio in deeptech and semiconductor-linked solutions.
At the same time, Nvidia has partnered with AI Grants India (AIGI), a registered non-profit foundation, to support early-stage AI founders through its Inception Startup Program. The collaboration aims to enable up to 500 new AI startups over the next 12 months. Founders supported through AIGI will gain access to Nvidia’s developer tools, infrastructure, and ecosystem resources, though the exact allocation of computing credits has yet to be finalized.
AIGI, co-founded by Bhasker Kode and Vaibhav Domkundwar, defines a startup as a registered company. In under nine months, the organization has already supported over 1,500 builders, facilitated more than 100 idea-stage AI startups, and enabled over one billion tokens across model platforms.These initiatives coincide with the India AI Impact Summit 2026, reinforcing India’s growing AI ecosystem and creating new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness. With backing from Qualcomm and Nvidia, India’s AI startups are poised to expand rapidly, building next-generation products and services that leverage artificial intelligence and deep technology.
