New Delhi, India – The India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) has received a significant boost with Nvidia and Qualcomm Ventures joining its ranks, along with fresh capital commitments exceeding $850 million. This infusion of funds and expertise aims to bolster India's deep tech startup ecosystem, focusing on areas like AI, semiconductors, and robotics.
The IDTA, launched in September 2025 with an initial commitment of $1 billion, seeks to bridge the funding gap that often hinders the growth of research-driven startups in India. Deep tech companies typically face longer development timelines and uncertain paths to profitability, making it challenging to attract traditional venture capital.
Nvidia will join as a founding member and strategic technical advisor, providing guidance on AI and accelerated computing. The company will offer technical workshops and training through its Deep Learning Institute (DLI) to assist Indian startups in adopting AI and computing tools. Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director of Nvidia South Asia, stated that the company aims to provide strategic guidance on AI systems, developer enablement, and responsible deployment, collaborating with policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs to advance transformative solutions.
Qualcomm Ventures joins as a new member, adding to the growing list of corporate and venture capital firms supporting the IDTA. Other new members include Activate AI, InfoEdge Ventures, Chirate Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Singularity Holdings VC, and YourNest Venture Capital. These firms will provide long-term, thesis-driven capital, mentorship, and market linkages to Indian deep tech startups and scale-ups.
Sriram Viswanathan, founding managing partner at Celesta Capital and executive council member of IDTA, emphasized that Nvidia's expertise in AI systems, software, and ecosystem-building will greatly benefit the network of investors and entrepreneurs. He added that increasing government support means there's no better time for India to focus on deep tech.
The IDTA's members will voluntarily invest capital and provide mentorship and network access to Indian deep tech startups over the next 5-10 years. The alliance aims to engage with the Indian government's ₹1 lakh crore ($12 billion USD) Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) scheme, which supports strategic technology sectors.
This initiative arrives shortly after the Indian government launched its $12 billion initiative to spur research and development in the country. Deep tech funding in India surged 78% to $1.6 billion last year, but still only accounted for about one-fifth of the $7.4 billion raised overall by startups. Experts have said that deep tech investment is vital to build core technologies, like chips and AI, that secure economic and strategic independence.
The alliance's investment scope extends to AI, robotics, advanced materials, biology, next-generation manufacturing, and energy. The IDTA represents a long-term commitment to fostering the deep tech ecosystem in India, with members planning to deploy capital over the next five to ten years.
