BigEndian gets Rs 130 crore TDB funding to boost indigenous semiconductor chip development in India. Specifically, the Technology Development Board (TDB) signed an agreement with the Bengaluru-based startup under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund. Meanwhile, the total project cost for this national semiconductor initiative stands at Rs 260 crore.
BigEndian gets Rs 130 crore TDB funding for Project VeerAI
Furthermore, the funding supports Project VeerAI to build a camera-focused Artificial Intelligence (AI) Vision System-on-Chip (SoC). Consequently, TDB extends financial assistance through Optional Convertible Debt (OCD) to advance technology readiness levels.
Specifically, the project moves the chip platform from Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-5 to TRL-9. Thus, this milestone paves the way for commercial deployment across camera surveillance networks.
| Key Parameter | Details |
| Recipient Company | BigEndian Semiconductors (Bengaluru) |
| Government Agency | Technology Development Board (DST) |
| Funding Scheme | Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund |
| Total Project Cost | Rs 260 crore |
| TDB Support Amount | Rs 130 crore (Optional Convertible Debt) |
| Target Scale | Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-5 to TRL-9 |
Indigenous AI Vision SoC targets surveillance and defence
Additionally, Project VeerAI develops secure AI chips primarily for CCTV surveillance systems. Therefore, the sovereign platform reduces dependence on foreign chip supply chains.
Furthermore, the AI Vision SoC combines processing power with privacy and connectivity capabilities. The company plans future expansions into defence, automotive, industrial automation, and healthcare.
“Semiconductors form the core of emerging tech, making domestic AI chip development crucial,” stated Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary at TDB. Meanwhile, BigEndian promoters confirmed the capital accelerates validation and commercial readiness. As BigEndian gets Rs 130 crore TDB funding, India strengthens its engineering talent and semiconductor ecosystem.
