New Delhi: Carl Pei is once again turning attention toward India. The co-founder of Nothing has announced a new expansion plan worth more than 100 million dollars (₹850 crore) that will see the company create 1,800 jobs across the next three years.
Pei revealed the details on X (Twitter) after meeting Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who has been central to India’s Make in India programme. In his words, “There is no doubt; India will play a key role in shaping the future of the global smartphone industry.”
Had the honor of meeting Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw – the driving force behind Make in India and the country’s thriving tech ecosystem. There is no doubt; India will play a key role in shaping the future of the global smartphone industry.
We discussed our journey with… pic.twitter.com/M1Gyzet6Qg
— Carl Pei (@getpeid) September 25, 2025
CMF to be based in India
As part of the plan, Nothing will establish CMF as a subsidiary headquartered in India. Pei described the vision as “Built from India, to the world,” positioning CMF as a consumer tech brand with global reach. The company wants complete control over product design, manufacturing, and distribution through this subsidiary.
For those of us following the smartphone scene, this move isn’t surprising. India has become a production hub for nearly every big brand, but it’s rare to see a global tech startup choose the country as its main base for a new brand.
Manufacturing joint venture
A major element of the announcement is a new joint venture with Optiemus, one of India’s leading tech manufacturers. Pei called it a “key milestone in making this vision a reality.” The venture will help Nothing expand production locally, while also creating job opportunities.
The strategy makes sense. By scaling up with a local partner, Nothing can cut costs, improve supply lines, and speed up time-to-market. It’s also a way to boost India’s role in the global tech supply chain, something policymakers have been pushing for years.
What it means for India
The scale of the plan is important. An investment of 100 million dollars (₹850 crore) over three years signals confidence in India’s talent pool and ecosystem. Setting up CMF and a joint venture in India also ties into the government’s ambition to build the country as a global manufacturing hub.
Pei’s choice of words shows this isn’t just about assembly lines. He pointed out that with “end-to-end capabilities” the company is “uniquely positioned to bring this vision to life.” That includes design, software, and global distribution, not just factory work.