India has a great chance to become a major player in the semiconductor industry, according to Lip-Bu Tan, a key figure in the global chip industry. He suggests that India should concentrate on chip design rather than fabrication, which requires huge investments and long-term customers.
Tan, visiting India for Anant Ambani’s wedding and the launch of Yali Capital, a new venture fund focused on chip design, emphasized India’s strong talent in semiconductor R&D. He noted that many Indian engineers already drive innovation at major tech companies like Intel, Qualcomm, and Nvidia.
He advised India to create its own semiconductor products and brands, leveraging its strength in design. This approach aligns with India’s recent push through the India Semiconductor Mission, where companies like Tata, Murugappa Group, and Micron have pledged significant investments in chip design and fabrication.
Tan highlighted the need for improved infrastructure in India to support semiconductor fabs. He suggested starting with mixed-signal, power management, and image sensor chips, which require less cutting-edge technology but have high demand. With global giants and homegrown companies showing interest, Tan believes India can become a crucial hub for semiconductors, especially as companies like Apple seek alternatives to China for manufacturing.
