Odisha, an eastern state in India, is making strategic moves to attract global IT and semiconductor giants as part of its efforts to transform the tech landscape. Officials have revealed that numerous large multinational companies in the IT and semiconductor sectors have expressed their interest in investing in the state. To further these intentions, a delegation from the Odisha government recently engaged in discussions with top Silicon Valley industry leaders representing various fields, including IT, semiconductor design and automation, venture capital, professional services, AI/ML, and 5G.
Several key industry leaders participated in these discussions, including Cadence Design Systems, Integreon, Celano.io, and eFabless Corporation, among others. The delegation also had the opportunity to interact with Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTS), a major IT multinational company, and showcased the advantages that Odisha offers as a potential location for CTS.
During their visit, the delegation met with Mr. PR Patel, a former executive at Intel and the promoter of Global HDI PCB Manufacturing Inc., in the United States. They highlighted Odisha’s natural endowments, generous incentives, and investment-friendly climate. As a result, Patel expressed his intent to establish an HDI-PCB manufacturing facility in the state, with a projected investment of approximately Rs. 4,360 crore (~530 million USD) over the next seven years. This move is expected to generate around 3,500 jobs and foster the development of a strong semiconductor ecosystem.
In another significant meeting, the delegation engaged with Subroto Mukerji, the CEO of Integreon. The firm specializes in performing outsourced services for corporations and law firms, offering support in areas such as contract management, legal operations, and document review. Integreon intends to establish its offshore development centers in Odisha, capable of accommodating 500 personnel, to provide AI/ML derived business insights to their clients.
The delegation also held discussions with Rajeev Shah, the CEO and Co-founder of Celona.io, renowned for developing the industry’s first 5G LAN system. The delegation highlighted the advancements made by Odisha in extending high-speed network connectivity even to remote regions of the state. The Government of Odisha has expressed its willingness to facilitate joint research projects between Celona and top institutions in Odisha, focusing on the fields of 5G and Industry 4.0. Additionally, the government aims to aid the establishment of a Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s capital, specializing in these domains.
With the objective of nurturing a chip ecosystem, the delegation engaged in a detailed conversation with Michael Wishart, the CEO of eFabless Corporation. The company provides a platform that enables collaboration among chip experts and non-experts in designing, sharing, prototyping, and commercializing special-purpose chips. As part of their collaboration proposals, eFabless Corporation plans to initiate a 6-week program that offers hands-on learning experiences in semiconductor design and fabrication, making Odisha’s youth industry-ready and increasing their employment prospects. The company will also cooperate with the Government of Odisha on the O-Chip program, focusing on accelerating IP development for emerging applications such as AI/ML.
Additionally, the delegation participated in an event hosted by the Consulate General of India in San Francisco, interacting with over 50 leading executives from Silicon Valley. They highlighted the growth and expansion possibilities in Odisha, garnering significant support from the participants, who expressed their willingness to contribute to the state’s continued progress.
Recognizing the importance of advisory support from industry veterans, the delegation had a constructive discussion with Mr. Lip-Bu Tan, a renowned venture capital investor in the semiconductor and deep tech sectors. He offered valuable insights into the latest trends in areas such as AI/ML, life sciences, semiconductor industry investments, technology, and workforce training. These insights are expected to shape strategic decisions and initiatives aimed at bolstering the semiconductor and deep tech landscape in Odisha.
In another significant development, Mr. Shiva Ramani, the CEO of iOPEX, a digital services provider with a global presence and numerous employees, revealed plans to establish an offshore development center with 500 staff in Bhubaneswar. The delegation assured him of their full support in facilitating these initiatives within the state.
With these efforts, Odisha is paving the way for significant growth and transformation in the IT and semiconductor sectors. By attracting global giants and fostering collaboration across various domains, the state aims to position itself as a preferred destination for technology-driven industries and create numerous employment opportunities.
