Qualcomm will invest $150 million to support AI startups in India.
The fund will help startups grow and boost India’s AI and tech ecosystem.
The move shows strong global interest in India’s innovation and startups.
Qualcomm has announced plans to invest up to $150 million in India’s technology and artificial intelligence startup ecosystem. The funding, to be deployed through Qualcomm Ventures, will support startups working in areas such as automotive technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and mobile devices. The announcement was made during the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi by Cristiano Amon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Qualcomm. The company said the funding will support startups at different stages, from early development to the growth phase. The investment is also expected to help India better position itself as a global hub for AI development and semiconductor innovation while strengthening domestic technology capabilities.
SurveyAnnouncing the launch of the new Strategic AI Venture Fund, Amon said, ‘Through our new Strategic AI Venture Fund, Qualcomm is investing in companies that are advancing the next chapter of AI in India.’ He added, ‘AI is entering a new phase where intelligence is built directly into devices and systems people depend on every day, from smartphones and PCs to cars, industrial machines, robots, and more, delivering richer and more meaningful experiences. This shift will reshape entire industries, and India’s startup ecosystem has a critical role to play as edge AI drives innovation across sectors.’
Industry analysts say the move reflects growing investor interest in India’s startup landscape, which has continued to expand over the past decade despite global funding slowdowns. Strategic investments by large technology companies are often viewed as a way to secure early access to innovation and local partnerships in a competitive market.
Quinn Li, Senior Vice President at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Global Head of Qualcomm Ventures, said, ‘India has become one of the world’s vibrant centres of innovation, and we’re proud to deepen our long-standing commitment to its startup ecosystem.’ He added, ‘This additional investment expands our support for founders building the next generation of transformative technologies. We look forward to helping these companies scale and contributing to India’s continued progress.’
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Qualcomm has been investing in Indian startups since 2007 and has invested in over 40 companies. The companies that Qualcomm has invested in include Reliance Jio, MapmyIndia, and ideaForge. The latest investment move indicates that the global community is still interested in investing in AI-driven businesses in India, despite the rising competition for startups.
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Bhaskar Sharma
Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers. View Full Profile
