India's boom in semiconductors: 10 startups to keep an eye on

 India's semiconductor industry is on the brink of a major transformation, fueled by the country's increasing focus on technological progress and self-reliance. Over the last ten years, there has been a significant rise in tech startups, sparking innovations in fields like electric vehicles, space technology, and artificial intelligence.

India's boom in semiconductors: 10 startups to keep an eye on

Within this wave of technological advancements, the semiconductor sector has gained substantial traction, driven by government policies that encourage innovation and local production. Key governmental initiatives, such as the Semicon India program and the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), have been pivotal in nurturing the growth of semiconductor startups, chip design companies, and packaging businesses.

The Indian government’s proactive stance is evident in programs like the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme and the broader 'Make in India' campaign. These initiatives are aimed at minimizing the country’s dependence on imported components while positioning India as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing.

Collaborations with major international players like AMD, Qualcomm, and Micron, alongside increasing interest from venture capitalists, have further accelerated the momentum in the domestic semiconductor landscape. Although India's ambition to build a semiconductor ecosystem began as early as the 1970s, the recent surge of startups is driving a new era of growth, with projections indicating the industry could reach a value of $150 billion by 2030.

In this article, we explore 10 emerging semiconductor startups that are making a significant impact on India’s technological evolution:

1. AGNIT Semiconductors

   Founded in 2019 and based in Bengaluru, AGNIT Semiconductors specializes in Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology. Its GaN-based products are designed for high-performance radio-frequency applications, particularly in defense and telecommunications. In 2023, the company partnered with the Ministry of Defence to develop advanced GaN semiconductors for use in next-generation military systems, including radar and electronic warfare.

2. Aura Semiconductor

   Aura Semiconductor, established in 2011, is a fabless company focused on mixed-signal ICs and timing solutions. Known for innovations in IoT, portable audio, and enterprise timing solutions, Aura has attracted investments from prominent players and expanded globally, with offices in China, the UK, and the US.

3. Blueberry Semiconductors

   Founded in 2017, Blueberry Semiconductors specializes in VLSI, ASIC, and SoC solutions. The company’s work spans industries such as aerospace, defense, and automotive, and it collaborates with major firms like Intel and Mahindra. Its advanced solutions are helping shape AI, 5G, and industrial IoT technologies.

4. Calligo Technologies

   CalligoTech, established in 2017, focuses on high-performance computing (HPC) and AI. Their flagship product, TUNGA, is a RISC-V CPU that leverages Posit arithmetic to enable faster and more energy-efficient computations, particularly for AI and big data applications.

5. Chipspirit

   Established in 2018, Chipspirit is known for its ASIC design services and secure hardware solutions. Its encryption device, Abhed-1, enhances secure data transmissions, particularly for defense applications. The startup has gained recognition for its contributions to secure hardware design under the Make in India initiative.

6. Cientra

   Cientra, founded in 2015, provides end-to-end semiconductor solutions with a focus on 5G, automotive, and embedded software. It recently collaborated on launching a 5G IoT aggregator solution, positioning itself as a key innovator in telecom and automotive systems.

7. FermionIC Design

   FermionIC Design, founded in 2020, focuses on IC design for communication and high-speed wireline. Their products are used in millimetre-wave communication and radar applications, with clients in aerospace and telecommunications sectors. FermionIC is also part of India’s DLI scheme.

8. InCore Semiconductors

   Based at the IIT Madras Research Park, InCore Semiconductors was founded in 2018 and specializes in RISC-V processor cores. With a focus on creating power-efficient and high-performance embedded processors, InCore is positioning itself as a leader in the global RISC-V ecosystem.

9. Mindgrove Technologies

   Founded in 2021, Mindgrove Technologies develops secure IoT chips using RISC-V cores incubated at IIT Madras. Their chips, like Secure IoT, are designed for consumer electronics and are built with advanced security features, making them a key player in the secure IoT market.

10. Saankhya Labs

    Saankhya Labs, one of India’s earliest fabless semiconductor companies, has been at the forefront of innovations in satellite communication and 5G. The company’s software-defined radios are used in a variety of applications, including satellite communications and smart TVs. Saankhya is working on developing a 5G SoC for telecom infrastructure under India’s DLI scheme.

These startups are not only transforming India’s semiconductor landscape but are also helping the country establish itself as a global technology leader. Through their innovative contributions in chip design, communication technologies, and AI, they are set to play a critical role in driving India’s tech growth over the next decade. Keep an eye on these companies as they continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the semiconductor industry.