Indian deep-tech, semicon startups playing vital role in driving innovation: NXP

NXP Semiconductors has been known to support startups in India much beyond financial assistance. It is also extending support across various sectors.

Hitesh Garg, VP and India MD, NXP Semiconductors, tells us more. Excerpts from an interview:

DQ: How does NXP extend support beyond financial assistance to startups in India?

Hitesh Garg: At NXP, we believe that true innovation requires more than just funding—it requires a strong ecosystem of mentorship, technical support, and market access. 

Our commitment to startups extends through multiple initiatives, including the NXP India Tech Startup Challenge, where we provide deep-tech startups access to our state-of-the-art semiconductor technology, development kits, and global R&D resources.

Beyond technology, we offer mentorship from our senior engineers and business leaders, helping startups navigate challenges in product development, go-to-market strategies, and scaling operations. Additionally, we facilitate industry connections by bringing startups into our broader ecosystem of customers, partners, and government stakeholders, ensuring they get the right exposure to accelerate their growth.

DQ: What impact has NXP's involvement had on the overall growth and success of the startups it supports?

Hitesh Garg: Our engagement with startups has led to tangible successes across sectors such as automotive, IoT, AI, and industrial automation. Through our support, startups have accelerated their time-to-market, refined their technology stacks, and gained access to international markets.

Many of the startups we have mentored have secured additional funding, entered strategic partnerships, and successfully commercialized their solutions. Few of the winners ThinkerBell Labs and Sunfox, have even secured an investment at Shark Tank India. 

By providing technical expertise, access to our global supply chain, and co-innovation opportunities, NXP has played a key role in strengthening India’s deep-tech startup ecosystem and connected with over 1000+ startups. We take pride in seeing these startups scale their innovations, create jobs, and contribute to India’s semiconductor and electronics industry.

DQ: How does NXP envision the future of the startup ecosystem in India, and what role does it see itself playing in that future?

Hitesh Garg: India’s startup ecosystem is evolving rapidly, with deep-tech and semiconductor startups playing an increasingly vital role in driving innovation. We foresee a future where Indian startups not only build for the domestic market, but also emerge as global leaders in cutting-edge technologies like automotive semiconductors, AI-driven edge computing, and secure connectivity solutions.

At NXP, we are committed to being a key enabler of this transformation. We plan to deepen our engagement with startups by expanding our incubation programs, strengthening partnerships with academia, and facilitating greater collaboration between startups and established industry players. 

With the Indian government’s push for semiconductor self-reliance, we believe that startups will play a crucial role in building a robust semiconductor ecosystem, and NXP is dedicated to supporting them every step of the way.