{"id":3094604,"date":"2026-02-19T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T00:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/?p=3094604"},"modified":"2026-02-19T17:25:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T01:25:48","slug":"nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/","title":{"rendered":"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India&#8217;s AI startup ecosystem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p id=\"speakable-summary\" class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nvidia is stepping up efforts to court India&#8217;s artificial intelligence startups earlier in their lifecycle, unveiling a string of partnerships this week aimed at reaching founders even before their companies are formally established. The push is intended to help the AI chipmaker cultivate relationships with future customers in one of the world&#8217;s fastest-growing developer markets.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The latest move comes through a partnership with early-stage venture firm <a href=\"https:\/\/www.activatevc.ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Activate<\/a>, which plans to back about 25 to 30 AI startups from its $75 million debut fund while giving portfolio companies preferential access to Nvidia&#8217;s technical expertise. The collaboration follows other India-focused efforts unveiled this week, including work with nonprofit AI Grants India to support early-stage founders and new ties with venture firms focused on the South Asian nation.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The flurry of activity comes as India hosts its <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/16\/all-the-important-news-from-the-ongoing-india-ai-summit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AI Impact Summit<\/a> in New Delhi, drawing top technology companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang was slated to attend but skipped the event due to what the company called unforeseen circumstances. A senior delegation led by executive vice president Jay Puri attended in his place, meeting AI researchers, startups, developers, and partners on the ground.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing pools of AI developers and startups, making it an increasingly important market for Nvidia as it looks to expand adoption of chips and computing software. By working more closely with founders at the earliest stages, the company is positioning itself to capture long-term demand as new AI-native companies scale.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aakrit Vaish, founder of Activate, said Nvidia&#8217;s engagement with startups in India has historically been relatively light-touch compared with the U.S., but the chipmaker is now looking to work with founders much earlier in their journey. Activate aims to leverage that shift by connecting portfolio startups directly with Nvidia experts.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The VC firm, which Vaish describes as focused on &#8220;inception investing,&#8221; meets technical teams months before company formation and works closely with them as they grow. Its backers include venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, Perplexity co-founder Aravind Srinivas, Peak XV managing director Shailendra Singh, and Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, underlining the prominent network Activate is assembling around its early-stage strategy.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Nvidia, the logic behind partnering with an early-stage venture firm is straightforward: the earlier it builds relationships with promising AI startups, the more likely those companies are to rely on its computing infrastructure as they scale. Vaish told TechCrunch that growing startups typically consume increasing amounts of AI compute over time, making early technical engagement valuable for the chipmaker as a way of generating future business.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-techcrunch-inline-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"inline-cta__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"inline-cta__logo\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"41\" height=\"20\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 41 20\"><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M0 0v6.452h7.097V20h7.097V6.452h6.451V0zM27.742 13.548V6.452h-7.097V20h20v-6.452zM40.645 0H27.742v6.452h12.903z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"inline-cta__flag\">Techcrunch event<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"inline-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"inline-cta__header-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"inline-cta__header-container-desktop\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"inline-cta__header has-h-5-font-size\">Save up to $300 or 30% to TechCrunch Founder Summit<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"inline-cta__subheader\">1,000+<strong> founders<\/strong> and investors come together at <strong>TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026<\/strong> for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry. Connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. Walk away with tactics you can apply immediately.<br><br>Offer ends March 13.<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"inline-cta__header-container-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"inline-cta__header has-h-5-font-size\">Save up to $300 or 30% to TechCrunch Founder Summit<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"inline-cta__subheader\">1,000+<strong> founders<\/strong> and investors come together at <strong>TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026<\/strong> for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry. Connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. Walk away with tactics you can apply immediately<br><br>Offer ends March 13.<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"inline-cta__event-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"inline-cta__location\">Boston, MA<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"inline-cta__separator\">|<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"inline-cta__date\">June 9, 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"inline-cta__register-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a data-ctaText=\"REGISTER NOW\" data-destinationLink=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/events\/techcrunch-founder-summit-2026\/?utm_source=tc&amp;utm_medium=ad&amp;utm_campaign=tcfoundersummit2026&amp;utm_content=seb&amp;promo=tc_inline_seb&amp;display=\" data-event=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/events\/techcrunch-founder-summit-2026\/?utm_source=tc&amp;utm_medium=ad&amp;utm_campaign=tcfoundersummit2026&amp;utm_content=seb&amp;promo=tc_inline_seb&amp;display=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">REGISTER NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nvidia already has a sizable presence in the country through its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nvidia.com\/en-in\/startups\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Inception program<\/a>, which supports more than 4,000 startups in India. This week, the chipmaker also <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nvidia.com\/blog\/india-ai-mission-infrastructure-models\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">expanded its local ecosystem ties<\/a>, including partnerships with venture firms such as Accel, Peak XV, Z47, Elevation Capital, and Nexus Venture Partners to identify and fund AI startups. It separately teamed up with AI Grants India, co-founded by Vaibhav Domkundwar and Bhasker (Bosky) Kode, to support more than 10,000 early-stage founders over the next 12 months.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The company has also been broadening its startup outreach in India over time. In November 2025, Nvidia <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2025\/11\/04\/nvidia-qualcomm-join-u-s-indian-vcs-to-help-build-indias-next-deep-tech-startups\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">joined the India Deep Tech Alliance<\/a>, a consortium of U.S. and Indian investors including Accel, Blume Ventures, Premji Invest, and Celesta Capital, to provide strategic and technical guidance to emerging startups in the country.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vaish said Activate&#8217;s partnership with Nvidia is designed to provide a more curated layer on top of the company&#8217;s broad-based Inception program, which serves thousands of startups globally. By serving as an early filter for high-potential technical teams, Activate aims to give its portfolio companies more direct, timely access to Nvidia&#8217;s engineering expertise.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The stepped-up activity underscores intensifying competition among global technology firms to court AI developers and startups in India, which has become one of the fastest-growing pools of technical talent outside the U.S.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nvidia is working with investors, nonprofits, and venture firms to build earlier ties with India&#8217;s fast-growing AI founder ecosystem.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":133574564,"featured_media":3012769,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tc-featured-article":false,"tc-header-option":"","tc-breaking-news":false,"tc-article-brief":false,"carmot_uuid":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2026-02-20T00:40:38Z","apple_news_api_id":"ab6ea1a2-27be-4818-bf24-33b9f4512ee4","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2026-02-20T00:40:38Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAD\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/w==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/Aq26hoie-SBi_JDO59FEu5A","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"tc_subtitle":"","tc_featured_image_disabled":false,"tc_exclude_from_rss_feed":false,"tc_exclude_from_content_rivers":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20429,577047203],"tags":[603555,35186],"tc_region":[577037498],"tc_event":[],"tc_storyline_tax":[],"coauthors":[577037457],"class_list":["post-3094604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-startups","category-artificial-intelligence","tag-activate","tag-nvidia","tc_region-india"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.1 (Yoast SEO v25.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India&#039;s AI startup ecosystem | TechCrunch<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Nvidia is working with investors, nonprofits, and venture firms to build earlier ties with India&#039;s fast-growing AI founder ecosystem.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India&#039;s AI startup ecosystem | TechCrunch\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Nvidia is working with investors, nonprofits, and venture firms to build earlier ties with India&#039;s fast-growing AI founder ecosystem.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"TechCrunch\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/techcrunch\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-20T00:30:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-20T01:25:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg?w=1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jagmeet Singh\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@TechCrunch\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@TechCrunch\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jagmeet Singh\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jagmeet Singh\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b60bd12409ef0bdc7e42af280c92037c\"},\"headline\":\"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India&#8217;s AI startup ecosystem\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-20T00:30:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-20T01:25:48+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/\"},\"wordCount\":659,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"activate\",\"nvidia\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Startups\",\"AI\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2026\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/\",\"name\":\"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India's AI startup ecosystem | TechCrunch\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-20T00:30:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-20T01:25:48+00:00\",\"description\":\"Nvidia is working with investors, nonprofits, and venture firms to build earlier ties with India's fast-growing AI founder ecosystem.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":683,\"caption\":\"CHONGQING, CHINA - MAY 19: In this photo illustration, the logo of Nvidia is displayed on a smartphone screen on May 19, 2025 in Chongqing, China. (Photo by Li Hongbo\/VCG via Getty Images)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India&#8217;s AI startup ecosystem\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/\",\"name\":\"TechCrunch\",\"description\":\"Startup and Technology News\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"TC\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"TechCrunch\",\"alternateName\":\"TC\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/tc-logo-2018-square-reverse2x.png?resize=1200,1200\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/tc-logo-2018-square-reverse2x.png?resize=1200,1200\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":1200,\"caption\":\"TechCrunch\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/techcrunch\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/TechCrunch\",\"https:\/\/mstdn.social\/@TechCrunch\",\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/techcrunch.com\",\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/@techcrunch\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b60bd12409ef0bdc7e42af280c92037c\",\"name\":\"Jagmeet Singh\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/b21072c2010c48a496002d91fdda1f98\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b444573b1cf4b0b3a38f7db485374f43136632178380998235b77b3996e2f7aa?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b444573b1cf4b0b3a38f7db485374f43136632178380998235b77b3996e2f7aa?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Jagmeet Singh\"},\"description\":\"Jagmeet covers startups, tech policy-related updates, and all other major tech-centric developments from India for TechCrunch. He previously worked as a principal correspondent at NDTV. You can reach out to him at mail[at]journalistjagmeet[dot]com.\",\"jobTitle\":\"Reporter, India, TechCrunch\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/author\/jagmeet-singh\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India's AI startup ecosystem | TechCrunch","description":"Nvidia is working with investors, nonprofits, and venture firms to build earlier ties with India's fast-growing AI founder ecosystem.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India's AI startup ecosystem | TechCrunch","og_description":"Nvidia is working with investors, nonprofits, and venture firms to build earlier ties with India's fast-growing AI founder ecosystem.","og_url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/","og_site_name":"TechCrunch","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/techcrunch","article_published_time":"2026-02-20T00:30:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-20T01:25:48+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg?w=1024","width":1024,"height":683,"type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Jagmeet Singh","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@TechCrunch","twitter_site":"@TechCrunch","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Jagmeet Singh","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/"},"author":{"name":"Jagmeet Singh","@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b60bd12409ef0bdc7e42af280c92037c"},"headline":"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India&#8217;s AI startup ecosystem","datePublished":"2026-02-20T00:30:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-20T01:25:48+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/"},"wordCount":659,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg","keywords":["activate","nvidia"],"articleSection":["Startups","AI"],"inLanguage":"en-US","copyrightYear":"2026","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/","url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/","name":"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India's AI startup ecosystem | TechCrunch","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg","datePublished":"2026-02-20T00:30:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-20T01:25:48+00:00","description":"Nvidia is working with investors, nonprofits, and venture firms to build earlier ties with India's fast-growing AI founder ecosystem.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg","width":1024,"height":683,"caption":"CHONGQING, CHINA - MAY 19: In this photo illustration, the logo of Nvidia is displayed on a smartphone screen on May 19, 2025 in Chongqing, China. (Photo by Li Hongbo\/VCG via Getty Images)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India&#8217;s AI startup ecosystem"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/","name":"TechCrunch","description":"Startup and Technology News","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#organization"},"alternateName":"TC","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#organization","name":"TechCrunch","alternateName":"TC","url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/tc-logo-2018-square-reverse2x.png?resize=1200,1200","contentUrl":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/tc-logo-2018-square-reverse2x.png?resize=1200,1200","width":1200,"height":1200,"caption":"TechCrunch"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/techcrunch","https:\/\/x.com\/TechCrunch","https:\/\/mstdn.social\/@TechCrunch","https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/techcrunch.com","https:\/\/www.threads.net\/@techcrunch"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b60bd12409ef0bdc7e42af280c92037c","name":"Jagmeet Singh","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/b21072c2010c48a496002d91fdda1f98","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b444573b1cf4b0b3a38f7db485374f43136632178380998235b77b3996e2f7aa?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b444573b1cf4b0b3a38f7db485374f43136632178380998235b77b3996e2f7aa?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","caption":"Jagmeet Singh"},"description":"Jagmeet covers startups, tech policy-related updates, and all other major tech-centric developments from India for TechCrunch. He previously worked as a principal correspondent at NDTV. You can reach out to him at mail[at]journalistjagmeet[dot]com.","jobTitle":"Reporter, India, TechCrunch","url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/author\/jagmeet-singh\/"}]}},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India&#8217;s AI startup ecosystem","url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg?w=150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg"},"articleSection":"Startups","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jagmeet Singh"}],"creator":["Jagmeet Singh"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TechCrunch","logo":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cropped-cropped-favicon-gradient.png"},"keywords":["nvidia","activate"],"dateCreated":"2026-02-20T00:30:00Z","datePublished":"2026-02-20T00:30:00Z","dateModified":"2026-02-20T01:25:48Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Nvidia deepens early-stage push into India&#8217;s AI startup ecosystem\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/nvidia-deepens-early-stage-push-into-indias-ai-startup-ecosystem\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg?w=150\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2026-02-20T00:30:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Startups\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"nvidia,activate\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Jagmeet Singh\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/techcrunch.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2216028442.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3094604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/133574564"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3094604"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3094604\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3094805,"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3094604\/revisions\/3094805"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3012769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3094604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3094604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3094604"},{"taxonomy":"tc_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tc_region?post=3094604"},{"taxonomy":"tc_event","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tc_event?post=3094604"},{"taxonomy":"tc_storyline_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tc_storyline_tax?post=3094604"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=3094604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}