India’s $18 Billion AI Bet: Can India Catch Up by 2040? Neelkanth Mishra

From debt-ridden childhood to build ₹300 crore stockbroking firm—an untold story of grit and markets :    • How 5 Stocks Fueled a ₹1000 Crore Journey ...   In this episode of the Indian Opportunity Show, host Shrishti Sahu sits down with Neelkanth Mishra — a leading economist and member of the India Semiconductor Mission advisory board. Together, they unpack India’s trillion-dollar opportunities across semiconductors, AI, digital public infrastructure, and startup ecosystems. From India’s $18B bet on chip manufacturing to the role of Aadhaar, UPI, GST, and ONDC in transforming credit and payments, this conversation dives deep into how India can leapfrog in innovation and diffusion while building global partnerships. Neelkanth also shares his candid views on India’s competitiveness in the AI race, the challenges of creating a homegrown Nvidia, and the immense opportunities for young entrepreneurs and engineers in this new era. If you want to understand where India’s economy and technology are headed in the next 20 years — this episode is a must-watch. A big thank you to our Venue Partner: Radisson Blu, Mahipalpur, Delhi. #IndianOpportunityShow #ShrishtiSahu #NeelkanthMishra #Semiconductors #AI #DigitalIndia #UPI #StartupIndia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to The India Opportunity Podcast, hosted by Shrishti Sahu. This channel provides a front-row seat to the visionaries shaping India's future, unlocking the country's immense potential through engaging conversations and inspiring stories. About the Channel: Join us as we dive deep into the transformative journeys of entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators who are making a significant impact in various sectors. Each episode is designed to offer insights into the challenges and triumphs faced by those at the forefront of India's growth story. Our mission is to illuminate the paths taken by these trailblazers and to explore the opportunities that lie ahead for India. About Shrishti Sahu: Shrishti Sahu is a 3rd generation entrepreneur and the Managing Partner of Swadharma Source Ventures (SSV). With a robust background in startups, private equity, and technology, Shrishti has led investments in over 60 companies. Prior to her role at SSV, she founded a fintech company and served at Meta (formerly Facebook), where she headed startup programs. Her passion for fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of leaders drives her commitment to showcasing the stories that define India's entrepreneurial landscape. Subscribe to stay updated on the latest episodes and be inspired by the incredible potential of India! Connect with us: 👉Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 👉 Spotify Podcasts - https://open.spotify.com/show/3te7aVf... 👉 Newsletter - https://theindiaopportunity.com/ 👉 LinkedIn -   / shrishtii   👉 X - https://x.com/shrishtie 👉 Instagram -   / theindiaopportunity   Timestamp: 00:00 Semiconductor industry investment and India’s strategy 02:19 Targeted approach for attracting semiconductor manufacturers 07:41 Importance of international partnerships in semiconductors 15:09 Challenges in semiconductor fab proposals and current progress 22:50 Long-term timeline and technology upgrades for fabs in India 30:52 India’s position and timeline in the global AI race 39:14 AI diffusion and impact of digital infrastructure in India 46:50 India’s chip design ecosystem and career advice for youth 1:04:00 GST reform and business formalization boosting financing access 1:14:37 Geopolitical trade shifts and India’s economic growth outlook