

Applied Materials looks to ramp up investment in India’s deep-tech startups
Mint.The US-based semiconductor equipment major is “spending more energy” tracking opportunities in the country than before, as policy support and early-stage investments begin to translate into a stronger pipeline of startups, said Om Nalamasu, chief technology officer (CTO) of Applied Materials.“With initiatives like ISM 1.0 (India Semiconductor Mission 1.0), ANRF (Anusandhan National Research Foundation), and RDI (research, development, and innovation) funds, we expect a significant increase in both the number and quality of ideas emerging from India,” he said.Nalamasu added that the firm is also engaging with government-backed initiatives such as fund-of-funds structures aimed at boosting domestic innovation.Applied Ventures has joined the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) as a corporate strategic partner, signalling a deeper engagement with the country’s semiconductor and deep-tech ecosystem.Globally, it has invested over $500 million across more than 100 companies, deploying about $100 million annually across 19 countries. It has seen more than 10 listing exits and multiple mergers and acquisitions.In India, however, its exposure remains limited so far.
One of its early investments, Tessolve, the Bengaluru-based semiconductor engineering firm, was acquired by Hero Electronix. More recently, in 2024, it made a growth equity investment in Gurugram-based electronics product design, software and manufacturing company VVDN Technologies.The renewed focus on India is part of a broader evolution in Applied Materials’ presence in the country, which has historically been centred around engineering and design.Avi Avula, president at Applied Materials India, said the company is now moving up the value chain.
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