India, a country home to 20% of the world’s chip designers, has historically lacked a significant presence in the global semiconductor market. However, recent developments have shown a shift towards India establishing itself in the semiconductor industry. This shift comes as companies worldwide adopt a “China-plus-one” strategy, seeking alternatives to China’s dominance in the market. BigEndian Semiconductors, a fabless design startup based in Bengaluru, aims to capitalize on this trend by developing surveillance chips for cameras.
Founded in May, BigEndian is led by CEO Sunil Kumar, a former executive at ARM Broadcom and Intel. The founding team brings extensive experience from chipmakers like Broadcom and Cypress Semiconductors. Kumar highlighted the importance of domestic consumption, with India using around 50 million cameras annually, worth close to $4-$5 billion. This, coupled with incentives from the Indian government and the push from customers to find alternatives to China, led to the establishment of BigEndian. Kumar emphasized the necessity of seizing this opportunity, stating, “If we don’t do it, this generation will die, and it will go.”
Government Support and Investment
India has allocated a budget of $9 billion to boost local semiconductor and display manufacturing companies. The Modi government approved four semiconductor units in the country to cater to various applications such as automotive, consumer electronics, EVs, industrial, and telecom. These units are estimated to attract an investment of around $17.9 billion and have the capacity to produce approximately 70 million chips daily. BigEndian initially plans to focus on surveillance chips in partnership with Taiwanese fab company UMC. The startup’s reference chip based on a 28nm node process is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2025.
Unlike traditional fabless semiconductor companies, BigEndian is working on a platform-as-a-service model to provide customized solutions for surveillance cameras. This approach aims to help governments avoid Chinese middleware access, which is common in existing surveillance solutions. By offering software solutions as add-ons on a subscription basis, the startup hopes to differentiate itself in the market and generate additional revenue streams. Kumar emphasized that India presents significant opportunities for semiconductor consumption, particularly in emerging segments like automotive, where 32-bit controllers are increasingly utilized.
To kick off its operations, BigEndian raised $3 million in an all-equity seed round led by Vertex Ventures SEA and India. Although this funding is not sufficient for mass production, the startup benefits from government incentives that provide additional support. Kumar acknowledged the challenges of raising funds in a country that has not seen significant success in semiconductors but expressed optimism about future fundraising rounds. Strategic investors, including Amitabh Nagpal from Amazon Web Services, are expected to contribute to the company’s growth in subsequent rounds.
BigEndian’s ambitions extend beyond the Indian market, with plans to target a wider audience with its surveillance chips. The startup aims to demonstrate India’s capabilities in the semiconductor industry and gradually expand its presence in the market. By establishing a strong foundation and proving its value proposition, BigEndian aims to establish itself as a key player in the industry.
The rise of BigEndian Semiconductors signals a significant milestone for India’s semiconductor industry. With a strong founding team, government support, and innovative approach, the startup is poised for success in a market dominated by established players. By focusing on surveillance chips initially and expanding into other segments over time, BigEndian showcases India’s potential as a semiconductor powerhouse.