Qualcomm Ventures’ new Strategic AI Venture Fund will target AI technologies in automotive, robotics, IoT and mobile startups.
American semiconductor company Qualcomm has announced plans to invest up to $150 million to support India’s growing AI technology and startup ecosystem through the launch of a strategic AI venture fund today.
Investments will be deployed through its corporate VC arm, Qualcomm Ventures, at all stages and will have a particular focus on AI technologies in the automotive, robotics, mobile and Internet of Things sectors.
This initiative aligns with Qualcomm’s long-term strategy and commitment to its investments in deep technology in India – a sector known for its slower gestation period in terms of ROI, Rama Bethmangalkar, Managing Director, Qualcomm Ventures India, recently told GCV.
The new fund allows Qualcomm to invest in companies that are at the forefront of India’s AI movement.
“AI is entering a new phase where intelligence is embedded directly into the devices and systems that people rely on every day, from smartphones and PCs to cars, industrial machines, robots, and more, delivering richer, more meaningful experiences. This shift will reshape entire industries, and India’s startup ecosystem has a critical role to play as cutting-edge AI drives innovation across industries,” Qualcomm Chairman and CEO Cristiano Amon said in a press release announcing the funds.
Qualcomm has been investing in Indian startups for almost two decades and thus occupies a leading position in the evolution of the ecosystem, particularly in deep technology and AI. The team primarily invests in startups that align with the company’s core technology strengths, such as AI, intelligent computing, and wireless advancements.
The Qualcomm Ventures India team has backed over 40 companies since 2007. Their portfolio includes India’s largest telecommunications network provider Jio, unmanned aircraft systems maker IdeaForge, e-delivery services platform Shadowfax, IoT solutions company Cavli Wireless, and MapMyIndia, a digital mapping and tracking platform that debuted in the public market in 2021.
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“We started early on identifying companies that were specialized in deep technology,” Bethmangalkar said. “We knew India was different, the market and use cases were different. The investment in MapMyIndia made sense and it helped align it with the deep tech side of our investment thesis.”
Qualcomm Ventures also joined the Indian Deep Technology Investment Alliancea consortium of Indian and US investors supporting Indian high-tech startups, in November 2025, reinforcing its commitment to supporting innovation and growth in the country.
“India has become one of the world’s vibrant innovation hubs and we are proud to deepen our long-standing commitment to its startup ecosystem,” Quinn Li, Global Head of Qualcomm Ventures, said today. “This additional investment extends our support for founders building the next generation of transformative technologies. We look forward to helping these companies scale and contribute to India’s continued progress.”
