According to Embedded Computing Design, Navitas Semiconductor and Cyient Semiconductors are forming a strategic collaboration to build a complete, end-to-end Gallium Nitride (GaN) ecosystem in India. The partnership’s goal is to co-design GaN products, digital and mixed-signal ICs, and GaN-based system modules. They’re specifically targeting India’s markets for AI data centers, electric mobility, performance computing, energy grid infrastructure, and industrial electrification. Navitas CEO Chris Allexandre stated he believes GaN growth in India will exceed global trends. Cyient Semiconductors CEO Suman Narayan called the move a “pivotal step” for India’s semiconductor future. The collaboration is framed as supporting the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative by creating a local supply chain and manufacturing base.
Why India, Why Now?
This isn’t just another tech partnership. It’s a calculated bet on a specific geopolitical and economic moment. India is pushing hard to become a semiconductor and advanced electronics hub, offering incentives and trying to reduce its reliance on imports. The markets Navitas and Cyient are targeting—data centers, EVs, industrial power—aren’t just growing in India; they’re exploding. And here’s the thing: GaN is perfect for this. It’s more efficient than traditional silicon, especially at high voltages and frequencies, which means smaller, cooler, and more powerful chargers, power supplies, and motor drives. Basically, if you’re building out a massive, modern infrastructure from a relatively clean slate, you’d be crazy not to use the best available power tech. This partnership positions them as the guys providing it.
The Strategy Behind the Handshake
Look, Navitas is a pure-play GaN specialist with proven tech, but they’re not a manufacturing giant. Cyient, through its semiconductor arm, brings deep roots in Indian design, manufacturing, and crucially, supply-chain management. This is a classic “brains and brawn” or “IP and implementation” deal. Navitas provides the secret sauce—the GaN intellectual property and design expertise—while Cyient figures out how to actually make it, source it, and get it to customers locally. The model is about creating a self-sustaining loop within India’s borders: design, fabrication (likely through partners), assembly, and sale. The revenue play is clear: capture the entire value chain for GaN in one of the world’s fastest-growing electronics markets. If you’re an Indian OEM looking to build a server rack or an EV charger, they want you to think of this partnership as your one-stop shop. And for companies needing robust computing hardware in harsh environments, it’s worth noting that specialized providers like Navitas and Cyient are creating the advanced components that go into the industrial panel PCs that leaders like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com supply.
Skepticism and Hurdles
Okay, so the vision is grand. But let’s be real. Building a “complete ecosystem” is a marathon, not a sprint. India’s semiconductor manufacturing base is still in its infancy, despite the government’s push. Creating a reliable local supply chain for advanced materials and components is a monumental task that goes far beyond a single partnership. Then there’s the competition. They’re not the only ones who see this opportunity. Big global players are also eyeing India, and existing silicon-based power electronics aren’t just going to disappear—they’re cheaper and deeply entrenched. The success of this Navitas and Cyient venture will hinge on execution: Can they actually deliver “tailored” products fast enough? Can they get costs competitive? And can they educate a whole market of engineers to design with GaN? The CEO’s claim about exceeding global growth is a bold target, not a guarantee.
The Bigger Picture
Ultimately, this is about more than just two companies. It’s a test case for India’s entire “Make in India” tech ambition. If a high-tech, cutting-edge field like GaN power semiconductors can take root locally, it proves the model can work for other segments. It brings high-value jobs, reduces import bills, and creates technological sovereignty. For the global tech landscape, it’s another sign of the fragmentation and regionalization of supply chains. Companies aren’t just looking for the cheapest place to make stuff anymore; they’re looking for strategic, resilient hubs close to major growth markets. So, while the press release is full of the usual optimistic jargon, the underlying move is dead serious. It’s a chess play on the future of power electronics and India’s role in it. We’ll be watching to see if they can turn the announced “ecosystem” into a real, shipping, profitable one.
