US-based semiconductor company Qualcomm to invest $150 million in India's AI startup ecosystem

US semiconductor major Qualcomm Incorporated has announced plans to invest up to $150 million to support India’s expanding technology and AI startup ecosystem, deepening a relationship it has built in the country over nearly two decades.

The investments will be deployed through Qualcomm Ventures, the company’s venture capital arm, and will back startups across stages. The focus areas include AI for automotive, Internet of Things, robotics and mobile.

The announcement coincides with CEO Cristiano Amon’s participation in the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.

“Through our new Strategic AI Venture Fund, Qualcomm is investing in companies that are advancing the next chapter of AI in India,” said Cristiano Amon, President and CEO, Qualcomm Incorporated.

“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.”

“India has become one of the world’s vibrant centers of innovation, and we’re proud to deepen our long-standing commitment to its startup ecosystem,” said Quinn Li, Senior Vice President, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and Global Head of Qualcomm Ventures.

“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.”

Qualcomm has been investing in India since 2007 and has backed more than 40 companies. Its portfolio in the country includes Jio, India’s largest telecom network provider; MapMyIndia, a digital maps and navigation company; ideaForge, a drone technology firm; Shadowfax, an e-delivery platform; Cavli Wireless, which enables connected intelligence across industries; SpotDraft, an AI-powered contract lifecycle management platform; and ToneTag, focused on AI-enabled digital payments.

Through Qualcomm Ventures India, the company provides capital and access to its technology expertise and global industry network. Qualcomm said it intends to align its investments with its core strengths in AI, high-performance and low-power computing, and connectivity.