What’s New Today: Qualcomm plans chip packaging in India, expanding R&D, boosting startup investments, and supporting AI, semiconductor, and 6G initiatives.
Fast-Track Insights: Concept Ventures raises $88M Fund II, backed by US investors and portfolio founders, cementing its role as Europe’s largest dedicated pre-seed fund.
Here’s a quick rundown of the biggest tech headlines making waves today. Let's dive into the day's top tech stories, from Qualcomm expanding its India presence with packaging and AI investments, to RRB announces 8,875 NTPC vacancies for 2025.
Qualcomm COO and CFO Akash Palkhiwala said the company is in talks with suppliers, including Tata Group, to leverage India’s chip packaging capacity. Qualcomm has grand plans to expand its existing engineering hubs, pour more money into startup ventures with Qualcomm Ventures, and complement the national semiconductor and AI missions. The company also sees opportunities in 6G, SATCOM, and Artificial Intelligence-based devices while underlining India's critical nature in its global strategy.
Concept Ventures, a London-based firm focused exclusively on pre-seed investments, has closed an oversubscribed $88 million Fund II, making it Europe’s largest dedicated pre-seed fund. Backed by institutional LPs, largely from the US, and over 70% of portfolio founders, the fund will support up to 50 startups. Known for its “outsiders backing outsiders” philosophy, Concept has invested in breakout companies like ElevenLabs and plans to continue leading early-stage funding rounds.
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has given very short notice of RRB NTPC 2025, with 8,875 vacancies in all under the Centralized Employment Notification (CEN) for Graduate and Undergraduate posts. Positions include Station Master, Goods Train Manager, Chief Commercial-cum-Ticket Supervisor (CCTS), Senior Clerk-cum-Typist, and so forth. Out of the total vacancies, 5,817 posts are for graduates, and 3,058 posts are for undergraduates. Date of applications and detailed instructions shall be issued shortly on the official website of the RRB.
Google’s Nano Banana AI, part of Google Gemini, lets users create Durga Puja and Navratri Garba looks with simple prompts. By uploading a clear photo, users can visualize themselves in sarees, lehengas, or cinematic festive scenes. The tool offers step-by-step methods and styling ideas, helping people preview outfits before purchasing or stitching. It boosts creativity, supports themed photography, and reduces editing needs, though users must consider privacy risks while uploading images.
Adrienne Harris will step down as superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services after four years, during which she expanded its crypto oversight and issued landmark rules, including the first US stablecoin standards. Governor Kathy Hochul named Kaitlin Asrow, the agency’s digital asset supervision lead, as acting superintendent starting October 18. Asrow, who helped build one of the world’s largest crypto supervisory teams, is expected to ensure regulatory continuity.