Startup Policy Forum has launched The Semicon Consortium, a permanent industry platform aimed at supporting the growth of India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
The alliance will bring together semiconductor startups, investors and global technology companies while creating a structured channel for engagement between the government and the industry. It will focus on semiconductor policy, ecosystem development and the long-term needs of companies operating across the value chain.
The consortium was announced during Semicon Baatcheet, a high-level roundtable chaired by S. Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The meeting brought government officials, startup founders, venture capital investors, industry executives and policy experts together to discuss the implementation of the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0.
According to the announcement, The Semicon Consortium will be operationalised over the next few weeks. Its launch follows the Union Cabinet’s approval of ISM 2.0 on July 15, 2026, with a fiscal outlay of Rs 1,27,500 crore. The allocation is around 68 per cent higher than the commitment made under the first phase of the programme in 2021.
Startups and investors discuss ISM 2.0 implementation
The roundtable included semiconductor startups such as Agrani Labs, Agnit Semiconductors, Incore Semiconductors, Mantra Semiconductor, Photonsilica and Bharat Semi.
Investors participating in the discussion included Bessemer Venture Partners, Speciale Invest, Elevation Capital and Iron Pillar. Global technology and semiconductor companies represented at the meeting included AMD, Intel and Ericsson.
The discussions centred on ensuring that the implementation framework for ISM 2.0 reflects the requirements of India’s growing semiconductor startup community.
Participants highlighted several areas that could influence the ability of young semiconductor companies to commercialise technology and scale operations. These included faster access to patient capital, effective implementation of the government’s proposed co-investment model, stronger talent pipelines and better access to shared infrastructure.
The roundtable also discussed the role of strategic public procurement in creating demand for domestic semiconductor products. Simplifying operational guidelines for startups working in chip design, materials, manufacturing technologies, packaging and supporting infrastructure was another key priority.
Government calls for stronger industry collaboration
S. Krishnan said India’s semiconductor ambitions would require close collaboration between the government, industry, startups, academic institutions and investors.
He said the implementation of ISM 2.0 should help build an ecosystem that encourages innovation, speeds up commercialisation and develops semiconductor capabilities that can compete globally.
Krishnan also underlined the value of structured industry consultations, noting that such discussions can help ensure that policies remain connected to the practical realities faced by companies and entrepreneurs.
New report maps India’s semiconductor startup landscape
The event also saw the release of “India’s Semiconductor Startup Landscape 2026”, a report jointly published by Startup Policy Forum and Speciale Invest.
The report maps India’s emerging semiconductor innovation ecosystem and identifies opportunities for startup-led development across chip design, materials, manufacturing technologies, packaging and enabling infrastructure.
Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO of Startup Policy Forum, said India’s semiconductor ambitions would depend not only on large manufacturing projects but also on startups developing intellectual property, specialised equipment, advanced materials and next-generation technologies.
She said sustained engagement between policymakers, investors and startups would be important as ISM 2.0 moves into its implementation phase. The objective, she added, is to ensure that policy support helps build globally competitive semiconductor businesses.
Startup Policy Forum is establishing The Semicon Consortium through its Centre for Deep Tech Policy Research. The platform is expected to support evidence-based policymaking and maintain continued engagement among key stakeholders in the sector.
The insights gathered during the roundtable will also contribute to Startup Policy Forum’s policy recommendations on ISM 2.0 and future semiconductor initiatives. These recommendations are being prepared with Ikigai Law as the knowledge partner.
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