TDB-DST signs Rs130 crore RDI deal with BigEndian for AI SoC

The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) has entered into an agreement with Bengaluru-based BigEndian Semiconductors to provide Rs130 crore in financial support under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund for developing an indigenous AI Vision System-on-Chip (SoC).The initiative, Project VeerAI, has a total estimated cost of Rs260 crore and is aimed at advancing the technology from Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-5 to TRL-9. The funding will be extended through Optional Convertible Debt (OCD),according to official reports.
Project VeerAI will focus on building a camera-centric AI Vision SoC on a sovereign technology platform. The proposed chip is intended to meet the rising demand for secure, intelligent and application-specific semiconductor solutions.The technology will initially target CCTV and surveillance applications in India and the Global South. It is also planned to have wider applications in areas such as defence, automotive, industrial and medical sectors.
The platform is expected to combine AI processing capabilities with security, privacy and connectivity features, helping reduce dependence on externally developed semiconductor technologies and supply chains.The project also aims to utilise India's expanding pool of VLSI design and semiconductor talent and convert domestic design expertise into a scalable commercial product.Unlike general-purpose chips, application-specific SoCs are designed to meet particular industry needs and can support faster technology deployment and commercialisation. The development of indigenous AI and semiconductor technologies is also gaining importance as connected devices and intelligent systems become increasingly part of critical infrastructure.Secure, application-specific chips can help address requirements related to data protection, privacy, device-level intelligence and technological self-reliance.Under the RDI support, BigEndian Semiconductors will undertake further technology development, validation, integration and testing, along with scale-up activities, to take Project VeerAI from TRL-5 to TRL-9.
Speaking on the agreement, TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said, “Semiconductors are foundational to almost every emerging technology, and building indigenous capabilities in application-specific AI chips is an important part of strengthening India’s technology ecosystem. The RDI Fund enables sustained support for technologies that require significant investment to move from advanced development to commercial deployment. The support to BigEndian Semiconductors reflects TDB’s focus on enabling Indian companies to develop strategic semiconductor capabilities and translate domestic design expertise into deployable products.”Promoters of BigEndian Semiconductors said, “The RDI support from TDB will enable us to accelerate the development and validation of Project VeerAI and take our AI Vision SoC towards commercial readiness. Our focus is on building a secure, application-specific semiconductor platform that can address the requirements of surveillance and other critical sectors while leveraging India’s indigenous semiconductor design capabilities. This partnership will help us progress the technology towards TRL-9 and contribute to the development of a stronger domestic semiconductor ecosystem.”