Nvidia has joined Indian and U.S. investors supporting India’s deep-tech startups, as the India Deep Tech Alliance welcomed new members and secured over $850 million in capital commitments to bridge a major funding gap in the sector.
New investors joining the alliance include Qualcomm Ventures, Activate AI, InfoEdge Ventures, Chirate Ventures, and Kalaari Capital. The initiative, launched in September with an initial $1 billion commitment, aims to back companies in areas such as space, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
As a founding member and strategic advisor, Nvidia will offer technical guidance, training, and policy input to help Indian deep-tech startups leverage its AI and computing tools.
The move reflects efforts to address the persistent underfunding of research-driven startups, which often face challenges in attracting venture capital due to long development timelines and uncertain profitability.
The announcement comes shortly after the Indian government unveiled a $12 billion R&D initiative to boost innovation in a country known for its services sector but still lagging in manufacturing. According to Nasscom, funding for India’s deep-tech startups grew 78% to $1.6 billion last year, though it still accounted for only one-fifth of the $7.4 billion raised across startups overall.
In April, entrepreneurs criticised an Indian minister’s call for startups to focus on high-end technology instead of consumer services, arguing that the government must provide stronger support to promote innovation.
Experts emphasize that deep-tech investment is critical for developing core technologies like semiconductors and artificial intelligence, which underpin economic and strategic independence.
Sriram Viswanathan, founding managing partner at Celesta Capital, said the increasing government focus has made this the ideal moment for India to deepen its tech ambitions.
“There’s no better time for India to look at deep tech,” Viswanathan said.
Celesta—an investor in Agnikul Cosmos and IdeaForge—helped launch the alliance alongside Accel, Blume Ventures, Gaja Capital, and Premji Invest, among others.
Members of the alliance plan to deploy their own capital into Indian deep-tech startups over the next five to ten years, while offering mentorship and network access.
“There’s no real pooling of capital. It’s voluntary,” Viswanathan added, comparing the structure to Nasscom.
