From Assembly Lines to AI: Indian Manufacturers Get the Silicon Valley Makeover Investors Crave

Indian industry is being called in a large way by business leaders and investors to accelerate technology adoption—specifically artificial intelligence (AI) and automation—to position India as a "Silicon Valley" for global manufacturing innovation and capital. This is while global funds, sovereign wealth investors, and private equity are increasingly eyeing India's manufacturing base, drawn by incentives from the government and the country's rapidly growing tech ecosystem.

 

Tech Adoption as an Attractor of International Funds

Prominent investors such as Bengaluru's Ankit Kedia point out that Indian producers need to adopt cutting-edge technologies such as AI and automation to entice global sovereign funds and private equity. The objective is to establish a Silicon Valley-like ecosystem home-grown, and this with a specific emphasis on Tier-II and Tier-III cities where low-cost, technology-driven manufacturing can take root.

 

Government stimuli fueling growth

Government schemes such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and the Make in India are increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) in a big way, with the estimate that FDI in manufacturing crossing $100 billion by 2025. These schemes are turning India into the investors' hub of choice for strong and diversified supply chains.

 

New Investments and Major Funds Announced

 

IFC has invested $60 million in the fifth fund of Motilal Oswal Alternates, targeting high-growth mid-market manufacturers and other companies with a perspective of expansion in underpenetrated markets and improving workforce diversity.

 

Capital-A, founded by Ankit Kedia, is raising a new ₹400 crore fund that will bet on technology-enabled manufacturing startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities that will create a robust foundation for India's manufacturing ecosystem.

 

The ₹500 crore corpus of Technology Adoption Fund has been established recently to support space-tech startups and MSMEs, with a maximum of 60% of the project cost of funding and technical support, bridging the gap of innovation-commercialization.

 

Focus on Competence Development and Sustainability ESG funds and green production are growing, and investors are opting for companies that adopt green technology and invest in employee upgradation.

 

India's International Aspiration

 

The combined effect of technological adoption, supportive states, and robust investment inflows is placing India in a position to not only tackle its gigantic domestic market but also become a global factory giant, shipping high-tech products and attracting foreign capital.

 

"We would like these hardware companies to form the backbone of our future manufacturing center and become prosperous together with the rest of the country," said Ankit Kedia, highlighting the vision of India's future manufacturing inclusiveness. 

 

Source: Rediff Money, IFC Press Release, Aerostar Manufacturing, Vajiram & Ravi, Vistra Insights