In a major move to capture the next wave of on-device intelligence, Qualcomm Incorporated announced a strategic investment of up to $150 million (~₹1,360 crore) for Indian AI startups on February 18, 2026. The announcement was made by Qualcomm President and CEO Cristiano Amon during his keynote at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
The fund, managed by Qualcomm Ventures, represents a shift in focus from cloud-based AI to “Edge AI”—intelligence that runs directly on hardware like smartphones, cars, and industrial sensors.
Strategic Focus: The Four Pillars
The $150 million “Strategic AI Venture Fund” is designed to back startups at all stages (Seed to Growth) that align with Qualcomm’s vision of a decentralized, intelligent edge.
| Priority Sector | Focus Areas |
| Automotive | Smart dashboards, autonomous safety, and EV power management. |
| IoT & Industry 4.0 | Predictive maintenance and smart factory robotics. |
| Mobile & PC | Generative AI models optimized to run locally on handsets and laptops. |
| Robotics | Specialized AI agents for logistics, agriculture, and healthcare. |
The “Edge AI” Manifesto
Speaking at the summit, Cristiano Amon emphasized that the “next chapter” of AI belongs to the devices people use every day.
“AI is entering a new phase where intelligence is built directly into devices and systems… This shift will reshape entire industries, and India’s startup ecosystem has a critical role to play as edge AI drives innovation across sectors.” — Cristiano Amon, CEO, Qualcomm.
India’s Deep-Tech Maturity
Qualcomm has been a long-term investor in India since 2007, with a portfolio that includes Jio Platforms, MapMyIndia, ideaForge, and Shadowfax. However, the 2026 fund marks a move toward “science-driven” startups.
- Beyond “Copy-Paste”: Investors at the summit noted that Indian entrepreneurship is moving away from cloning Western business models toward deep-tech solutions in semiconductors and quantum computing.
- Global Scaling: Beyond capital, Qualcomm is offering Indian founders access to its global industry network and deep technical expertise to help them scale products internationally.
- Synergy with “Make in India”: The fund aligns with the government’s Semicon India Program, aiming to turn India into a global powerhouse for both AI software and hardware.
Context: A Record-Breaking Week for India AI
Qualcomm’s $150M commitment adds to a massive week of investment news at the New Delhi summit:
- Adani Group: Committed $100B toward AI data centers by 2035.
- IDTA: Announced a $1 billion fund dedicated exclusively to AI over the next three years.
- Peak XV Partners: Invested $13M across five early-stage AI ventures.
