Bengaluru | November 11, 2025 — In a major boost to India’s deep technology ecosystem, Nvidia, the world’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor company, has officially joined the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) as a strategic partner. The move comes with a collective industry pledge of $850 million, aimed at accelerating innovation, investment, and skill development in the fields of AI, semiconductor design, robotics, quantum computing, and space technology.
The announcement, made during the India Deep Tech Conclave 2025 in New Delhi, marks a significant milestone in India’s journey to becoming a global AI and chip innovation hub. The alliance, which includes key Indian and global tech stakeholders, aims to bridge gaps between research, funding, and commercialization of deep technology solutions.
“India has the talent, the ambition, and now the momentum to lead in deep technologies. Nvidia’s partnership with the India Deep Tech Alliance will empower startups, researchers, and engineers to push boundaries in AI and beyond,”
— said Jensen Huang, CEO and Founder of Nvidia, in a statement during the event.
What Is the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA)?
The India Deep Tech Alliance is a public-private initiative formed to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies and create a sustainable innovation ecosystem.
It brings together industry leaders, venture capital firms, academic institutions, and government bodies to nurture startups working on frontier technologies such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine Learning (ML)
- Semiconductors & Chip Design
- Quantum Computing
- Space & Aerospace Technology
- Biotechnology & Robotics
The alliance’s mission is to support 1,000+ deep-tech startups by 2030, facilitate funding access, and promote India’s self-reliance in critical technologies.
“Deep tech is the future of India’s economic and strategic growth. Our goal is to make India not just a consumer, but a creator of advanced technologies,”
— said Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, during his address at the conclave.
Nvidia’s Role in the Alliance: Strategic Collaboration and Investment
Nvidia’s entry into the IDTA brings global expertise, cutting-edge infrastructure, and strategic investment to India’s deep tech space.
Under the agreement, Nvidia will:
- Establish AI Research Labs and Innovation Centers in collaboration with top Indian institutes like IITs and IISc Bengaluru.
- Support AI Startups through mentorship, cloud computing resources, and early-stage funding via Nvidia’s Inception Program.
- Train 50,000 Indian Engineers and Researchers in AI, GPU computing, and semiconductor design over the next five years.
- Collaborate with the Indian government on chip design and AI policy frameworks.
- Facilitate global market access for Indian startups developing deep-tech products.
This partnership is expected to catalyze India’s ambitions under the ‘Digital India Deep Tech Mission’, recently launched by the government to promote high-tech manufacturing and R&D.
“We are deeply committed to partnering with India’s innovation ecosystem. Nvidia’s technologies will now directly empower Indian startups to build the next generation of AI and semiconductor breakthroughs,”
— said Keith Strier, Vice President, Worldwide AI Initiatives, Nvidia.
$850 Million Pledge: Who’s Contributing and Where It Will Go
The $850 million pledge announced alongside Nvidia’s induction into the IDTA represents a collective pool of funding from global investors, venture funds, and corporate contributors.
Key contributors include:
- Nvidia Corporation (USA)
- Sequoia Capital India
- Accel Ventures
- SoftBank Vision Fund
- SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India)
- Tata Digital & Reliance Jio Platforms
- IIT Madras Research Park
Planned Fund Allocation:
| Sector | Planned Investment (USD) | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| AI & Machine Learning | $300 million | R&D, AI models, computing infrastructure |
| Semiconductors & Chip Design | $200 million | Indigenous design, fabless startups |
| Robotics & Automation | $100 million | Manufacturing & logistics robotics |
| Quantum & Space Tech | $150 million | Quantum computing labs, space startups |
| Human Capital & Training | $100 million | AI skilling programs, university partnerships |
The alliance’s fund will operate as a blended investment model — combining grants, venture capital, and public funding to ensure both innovation and sustainability.
India’s Deep Tech Landscape: Why This Matters
India’s deep tech sector has grown rapidly over the last five years, driven by the rise of AI startups, semiconductor policy initiatives, and global collaboration.
According to a NASSCOM 2025 report, India currently hosts:
- 3,000+ deep-tech startups (up 5x from 2018)
- $5 billion in cumulative funding in the segment
- A growing talent pool of 1 million+ AI and data science professionals
However, the report also highlights key challenges — including limited access to advanced computing infrastructure, chip fabrication capabilities, and early-stage deep-tech funding.
Nvidia’s participation in the IDTA directly addresses these gaps by providing GPU-powered AI infrastructure and technical mentorship to Indian innovators.
“The partnership is transformative because it bridges India’s brainpower with Nvidia’s computing power,”
— said Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM.
Government Response: “A Leap Towards Tech Sovereignty”
The Indian government welcomed Nvidia’s participation, describing it as a “strategic leap toward technological sovereignty” in the fields of AI and semiconductor innovation.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the move aligns with India’s vision of becoming a global technology hub:
“This collaboration shows that India is no longer just a user of technology, but a co-creator of frontier innovations. The Deep Tech Alliance, with Nvidia onboard, will play a pivotal role in achieving our ‘Techade’ goals.”
The government has also announced complementary initiatives under the Semicon India Mission, including subsidies for fabless chip design and AI research incentives.
Academic Collaboration: Research Meets Real-World Application
Under the alliance, Nvidia and IDTA will work closely with top Indian institutions — including IIT Madras, IISc Bengaluru, IIT Bombay, and IIIT Hyderabad — to integrate deep-tech research into commercial innovation.
A new “AI & Quantum Innovation Hub” will be established at IIT Madras Research Park, featuring:
- Nvidia-powered GPU clusters.
- Training programs for students and faculty.
- Joint incubation of AI startups through IDTA’s accelerator.
“This initiative connects academia, industry, and startups like never before. It ensures our research translates into real-world impact,”
— said Prof. Kamakoti V, Director of IIT Madras.
Nvidia’s Growing Footprint in India
Nvidia’s collaboration with India is not new. The company has had a strong presence in the country for nearly two decades, operating R&D centers in Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Gurugram.
These centers focus on AI research, GPU architecture design, and cloud-based computing systems. With the Deep Tech Alliance, Nvidia’s involvement will now expand from research to nationwide ecosystem building.
“India is home to some of Nvidia’s brightest engineers. The Deep Tech Alliance allows us to connect this talent to entrepreneurs and universities — the building blocks of a modern innovation economy,”
— said Brian Catanzaro, VP of Applied Deep Learning Research at Nvidia.
Deep Tech and AI: A Catalyst for India’s $1 Trillion Digital Economy Vision
Nvidia’s investment aligns with India’s broader ambition to achieve a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030.
Experts believe deep technologies — especially AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing — will account for nearly 30% of that value.
Key Sectors Expected to Benefit:
- Healthcare: AI diagnostics, robotic surgeries, drug discovery.
- Agriculture: Precision farming, satellite-based monitoring.
- Education: AI-driven learning platforms and skill development.
- Defense & Space: Quantum communication, advanced satellite systems.
- Manufacturing: Smart factories and industrial automation.
The government’s collaboration with global tech firms like Nvidia helps fast-track innovation pipelines in these critical areas.
Industry Reactions: A Game-Changer for Indian Innovation
NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Services Companies)
“This is the most significant global collaboration India has seen in AI and chip innovation. It will create jobs, foster startups, and elevate India’s position in global technology supply chains.”
— Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM.
TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs)
“The Nvidia-IDTA partnership could be the Silicon Valley moment for Indian deep tech. It brings credibility, capital, and computing together.”
— Rajan Anandan, MD, Peak XV Partners & TiE Board Member.
Startup Founders
“Access to Nvidia’s AI tools and cloud credits can cut our development cycle by half. This is a breakthrough for early-stage founders.”
— Ritu Agrawal, Founder of AI-health startup BioPulse.
Challenges Ahead: Execution and Accessibility
While optimism runs high, experts caution that execution will be key.
- Infrastructure accessibility: Ensuring smaller startups across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities can benefit from Nvidia’s AI infrastructure.
- Talent training: Bridging the skill gap in advanced chip design and GPU programming.
- Sustained funding: Ensuring that the pledged $850 million reaches promising ventures without bureaucratic delays.
Nonetheless, policymakers are confident that the alliance has laid a strong foundation for long-term progress.
The Global Context: India in the AI Race
With this partnership, India joins a growing league of nations — including the U.S., China, and Japan — that are investing heavily in deep tech ecosystems.
While the U.S. and China lead in semiconductor manufacturing, India’s focus on innovation, software, and AI development could make it a critical hub in the global technology value chain.
“India’s advantage lies in its people — young, skilled, and entrepreneurial. With Nvidia’s technology, we now have the perfect mix of talent and tools to compete globally,”
— said Arvind Krishna, CEO, IBM, during a panel discussion.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for India’s Tech Future
Nvidia’s decision to join the India Deep Tech Alliance and contribute to its $850 million innovation pool represents a landmark moment in India’s technological evolution.
The partnership not only strengthens India’s AI and semiconductor roadmap but also validates the country’s position as a strategic global tech player.
If executed effectively, the initiative could lead to the birth of hundreds of world-class deep-tech startups, thousands of high-skilled jobs, and a new wave of homegrown innovations capable of transforming global industries.
“This alliance is not just about technology — it’s about India’s future. A future built on innovation, intelligence, and independence,”
— concluded Jensen Huang, Nvidia CEO.
