The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has committed ₹130 crore to support BigEndian Semiconductors in developing an indigenous artificial intelligence vision chip. The project, called Project VeerAI, aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported semiconductor technology by creating a secure, domestically designed chip for surveillance systems and other critical applications.
BigEndian Semiconductors, based in Bengaluru, will receive the funding through Optional Convertible Debt, a financial instrument that can be converted to equity. The total project cost is ₹260 crore, with the TDB covering half the investment. The company will use these funds to advance the technology from its current stage of development (Technology Readiness Level 5) to commercial readiness (Technology Readiness Level 9) over the coming years.
Key facts
- TDB financial support: ₹130 crore via Optional Convertible Debt
- Total project cost: ₹260 crore
- Technology progression: from TRL-5 to TRL-9
- Company: BigEndian Semiconductors, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Initial application focus: CCTV and surveillance systems
- Planned expansion: defence, automotive, industrial and medical sectors
- Agreement date: October 2026
What the project aims to achieve
Project VeerAI is designed to create a System-on-Chip (SoC) that combines artificial intelligence processing with built-in security and privacy features. Unlike general-purpose semiconductor chips used globally, this will be an application-specific chip tailored for surveillance cameras and CCTV systems. The focus on specialised rather than universal chips allows for faster development and deployment in particular sectors where India currently depends on foreign suppliers.
The technology platform will integrate AI capabilities for intelligent video analysis with security measures to protect data and prevent unauthorised access. It will also include connectivity features allowing surveillance systems to communicate securely. The chip will initially target the Indian and Global South markets for CCTV applications, but the developers plan to expand its use across defence, automotive, industrial automation and medical device sectors over time.
Why this matters for India’s technology independence
Semiconductors are the foundation of nearly all modern electronic devices. India currently imports most of its specialised chips from other countries, creating a reliance on foreign technology supply chains. This agreement represents an effort to build domestic capability in designing and producing AI-enabled chips, particularly for applications involving critical infrastructure like surveillance and defence.
By supporting companies like BigEndian to develop sovereign technology platforms, India aims to strengthen its technology ecosystem and reduce vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Application-specific chips designed in India can be tailored to meet local security and privacy standards, and can be deployed faster than waiting for international suppliers to develop similar solutions.
What the funding covers
The ₹130 crore will support the activities needed to move Project VeerAI from its current advanced development stage towards commercial deployment. This includes further technology development, design validation, integration of different components, rigorous testing, and scaling up production processes. The Optional Convertible Debt structure means BigEndian Semiconductors receives the funds as a loan that TDB can convert into company equity at a future date, aligning the government’s financial interest with the company’s success.
What this means for you
If you work in India’s semiconductor or electronics design sector, this agreement signals government commitment to funding domestic chip development, potentially creating employment and investment opportunities. For businesses in surveillance, defence, automotive or medical device manufacturing, the development of indigenous AI-enabled chips could reduce long-term costs and improve supply security. For citizens concerned about data privacy, domestically developed chips designed with security-first principles may offer greater assurance about how data from connected devices is protected.
What happens next
BigEndian Semiconductors will begin advancing Project VeerAI through the development, validation and testing phases, with the goal of reaching commercial readiness. The TDB will monitor progress as the company works towards Technology Readiness Level 9, which represents a fully validated and deployable technology ready for market introduction.