Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Carl Pei Sees India Building Its Next Global Tech Brand
Carl Pei thinks India can do more than manufacture smartphones for other companies.
He says India could create its own famous technology brands that sell products around the world.
To do that, companies need to design products, develop software and invent new technologies in India.
The Indian government is supporting this goal with manufacturing and electronics programs.
Pei points to Japan, South Korea and China as countries that followed a similar path.
His company, Nothing, plans to make its CMF brand independent and base it in India.
CMF will work on operations, research and development, and manufacturing there.
Nothing and Optiemus also plan to invest more than $100 million and create over 1,800 jobs.
Pei believes stronger Indian brands could encourage local suppliers to make better components.
Nothing CEO Carl Pei says India could follow Japan, South Korea and China from electronics manufacturing to global consumer technology brands.
He argues India’s next phase should emphasize research, product engineering, patents and intellectual property rather than assembly alone.
Nothing plans to make its CMF sub-brand an independent subsidiary based in India for operations, research and development, and manufacturing.
Nothing and Indian manufacturer Optiemus announced a joint venture involving more than $100 million over three years and over 1,800 planned jobs.
Pei says India’s large market, manufacturing capacity and engineering talent could create a cycle of stronger suppliers and better products.
- Who
- Carl Pei, Nothing, CMF and Indian electronics manufacturer Optiemus are central to the plans; Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is cited as expressing a similar view about India’s technology potential.
- What
- Pei is advocating India’s shift from smartphone manufacturing and assembly toward product engineering, research and development, patents and globally recognized technology brands.
- When
- Pei made the argument in a post on X; Nothing announced the CMF and Optiemus plans in September 2025, while the article also cites recent government and Jensen Huang comments.
- Where
- India, with CMF planned as an India-based subsidiary for operations, research and development, and manufacturing.
- Why
- Pei believes India already has a large market, manufacturing capacity and engineering talent, but needs stronger domestic brands and deeper technology capabilities to create global products.
- Central argument
- India should move from 'Made in India' toward products engineered and developed in India.
- Company
- Nothing CEO Carl Pei is promoting the opportunity and plans to base CMF in India.
- CMF investment
- Nothing and Optiemus announced a joint venture involving more than $100 million over three years.
- Planned employment
- The joint venture is expected to create more than 1,800 jobs.
- Government support
- The Centre announced a Rs 62,500-crore mobile phone manufacturing scheme.
- Supported capabilities
- The scheme is intended to support Indian mobile brands, patents, design and research and development.
- Supply-chain areas
- The Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme covers camera and display modules, printed circuit boards, passive components and other electronics components.