Officials in Odisha, India are actively seeking investments from global IT and semiconductor industries to revitalize the state’s technology landscape. Several large IT and semiconductor multinational corporations (MNCs) have expressed their interest in investing in Odisha. This information was shared during discussions between the Government of Odisha delegation and industry leaders in Silicon Valley.
Leaders from Cadence Design Systems, Integreon, Celano.io, eFabless Corporation, and other MNCs participated in these discussions. The delegation also interacted with Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTS), a major IT MNC, and presented the advantages of investing in Odisha to Cognizant’s CEO, Mr. Ravi Kumar.
Additionally, the delegation met with Mr. PR Patel, the promoter of Global HDI PCB Manufacturing Inc. and a former executive at Intel. They discussed the benefits of investing in Odisha, including natural resources, incentives, and an investment-friendly climate. As a result, Patel expressed his intention to set up an HDI-PCB manufacturing facility in the state, with an estimated investment of about Rs. 4,360 crore (~USD 530 million) over a period of seven years. This investment is expected to generate approximately 3,500 jobs and promote the development of a semiconductor ecosystem.
The delegation also engaged with other industry leaders during their visit. They met with Subroto Mukerji, CEO of Integreon, a firm specialized in outsourced services for corporations and law firms. Integreon expressed their intention to establish Offshore Development Centers in Odisha for offering AI/ML-derived business insights to clients.
Furthermore, the delegation discussed potential collaborations with Rajeev Shah, CEO and Co-founder of Celona.io, a pioneer in enterprise private wireless solutions. They explored opportunities for joint research projects and establishing a Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bhubaneswar, focusing on 5G and Industry 4.0.
In their efforts to develop a chip ecosystem in Odisha, the delegation engaged with Michael Wishart, CEO of eFabless Corporation. They explored collaborations in semiconductor design and fabrication programs, aiming to provide industry-ready skills to the state’s youth and enhance their employability.
During an event organized by the Consulate General of India in San Francisco, the delegation interacted with over 50 executives from Silicon Valley. They highlighted the growth and expansion possibilities in Odisha, receiving whole-hearted support for the state’s development.
The delegation also had productive discussions with industry veteran Mr. Lip-Bu Tan, Founder and Chairman of Walden International (WI), a prominent venture capital firm. Mr. Tan shared insights into AI/ML, life sciences, semiconductor industry investments, technology trends, and workforce training.
Finally, the delegation engaged with Mr. Shiva Ramani, CEO of iOPEX, a digital services provider. They discussed plans to establish an Offshore Development Centre in Bhubaneswar, with support from the delegation.
Overall, the discussions and interactions with industry leaders in Silicon Valley are expected to shape strategic decisions and initiatives aimed at strengthening Odisha’s semiconductor and deep tech landscape.
