SoftBank-backed semiconductor company Graphcore is making a bold entry into India’s chip ecosystem with a $1.3 billion investment plan spread over the next decade. The move aims to establish India as a key hub for advanced semiconductor design and AI infrastructure.
Founded by Nigel Toon and Simon Knowles, the UK-based firm is known for its Intelligence Processing Units (IPUs) — processors built specifically for artificial intelligence and machine learning workloads. With this investment, Graphcore plans to set up operations across R&D, chip design, and data center infrastructure, marking one of the largest foreign commitments in India’s semiconductor sector to date.
According to reports, the upcoming India cluster will be developed around Visakhapatnam, where Google is also building a massive data infrastructure hub. Graphcore’s entry strengthens the region’s positioning as an emerging AI and semiconductor corridor in South Asia.
CEO Nigel Toon said the investment aligns with India’s growing strategic role in global technology manufacturing and digital innovation. “India has the talent, scale, and policy focus needed to become a global semiconductor powerhouse. We’re investing for the long term,” Toon said.
The project will unfold in phases, with Graphcore expected to collaborate with local universities, chip designers, and government-backed semiconductor initiatives under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
For SoftBank, the parent investor, this marks another decisive bet in the AI and chip value chain, following global investments in Arm and other frontier technology companies.
Final Take
Graphcore’s $1.3 billion India push signals a turning point for the country’s semiconductor ambitions transforming it from a backend design base to a global hub for advanced AI chip innovation.
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