Technology Development Board Inks ₹130 Crore RDI Fund Deal with BigEndian Semiconductors

Key facts

• The Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), signed an agreement with Bengaluru-based BigEndian Semiconductors for ₹130 crore support under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, provided through optional convertible debt (OCD).
• The support is for Project VeerAI, which has a total cost of ₹260 crore and aims to develop a camera-focused AI Vision system-on-chip (SoC) for surveillance applications, progressing from technology readiness level (TRL)-5 to TRL-9.
• The secure AI chip targets CCTV and surveillance applications in India and the Global South, with a roadmap for defence, automotive, industrial and medical domains to reduce dependence on external semiconductor supply chains.