NVIDIA and Qualcomm Ventures have joined a growing alliance of U.S. and Indian investors committed to advancing India’s deep-tech ecosystem. The coalition, launched in September with over $1 billion in commitments, aligns with India’s new ₹1 trillion (about $12 billion) Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) scheme.
NVIDIA joins as a strategic technical advisor, while Qualcomm Ventures comes on board with additional financial backing alongside six Indian venture firms, pushing total capital commitments above $850 million.
The alliance, called the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA), was spearheaded by Silicon Valley- and India-based Celesta Capital and includes major firms like Accel, Blume Ventures, and Premji Invest. It aims to provide capital, mentorship, and network access to Indian deep-tech startups tackling challenges in fields such as semiconductors, robotics, biotech, quantum computing, and space technology. The initiative coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s RDI scheme, which offers long-term loans and equity infusions to promote technological innovation and sovereignty.
NVIDIA’s role in the coalition focuses on providing technical expertise rather than funding. The chipmaker will guide startups on integrating AI and accelerated computing platforms and offer training through the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute. Qualcomm Ventures, by contrast, brings an investment focus and will assist startups with connections to its portfolio companies and global networks. Both companies view their involvement as a step toward strengthening India’s position in advanced technology development and nurturing globally competitive deep-tech ventures.
Despite its promise, the IDTA is described as a “loose coalition of the willing,” where members retain independent investment operations. Still, the initiative reflects growing confidence in India’s deep-tech sector, which attracted $1.6 billion in funding in 2024, a 78% increase year-over-year. Industry experts believe the coalition could help propel India into the next phase of technological innovation, inspiring more entrepreneurs and investors to back science-driven enterprises that could become future market leaders