NVIDIA, Qualcomm join U.S., Indian VCs to help build India’s next deep tech startups

NVIDIA and Qualcomm Ventures have joined a coalition of U.S. and Indian investors to support India’s emerging deep tech startup ecosystem. This coalition, launched in September and led by Celesta Capital, includes major venture firms from both countries and has committed over $850 million in capital. The initiative aligns with India’s new ₹1 trillion (approximately $12 billion) Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme, aimed at accelerating innovation in sectors like energy, quantum computing, robotics, space tech, biotech, and AI. The coalition plans to invest capital, provide mentorship, and offer network access to Indian deep-tech startups over the next five to ten years, while also collaborating with the Indian government on policy initiatives. India’s startup ecosystem, previously focused on SaaS and Western business models, is now shifting toward tackling complex, infrastructure-scale challenges such as satellite launches, electric transportation, and semiconductor design. Despite this growing focus, funding for deep tech remains limited due to longer development timelines and higher risks compared