BITSILICA Acquired: Indian Chip Design Powerhouse Expands Global Reach Amidst AI Boom

In a significant move reshaping India's burgeoning semiconductor landscape, Bengaluru-based chip design specialist BITSILICA was acquired by Singapore-headquartered engineering services giant Quest Global in April 2026. This strategic acquisition, hot on the heels of BITSILICA rapid expansion to over 650 engineers across multiple global locations, positions the combined entity to deliver end-to-end chip solutions, from concept to silicon, at a time when AI-driven demand for specialized processing power is skyrocketing. The deal underscores a critical moment for founder Bhaskar Kakani vision to not just execute, but own, India's future in advanced silicon. The stakes couldn't be higher: the global semiconductor market is projected to hit an astounding $1.5 to $1.7 trillion in 2026, overwhelmingly propelled by an 'AI compute arms race' and a structural shift towards high-performance memory like HBM and advanced packaging solutions. While AI chips currently make up a tiny fraction of total volume, they're set to capture half of the industry's revenue this year, driving unprecedented demand for specialized silicon design and verification. India, meanwhile, is accelerating its ambitions with the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, launched in July 2026, allocating over $13 billion to build a comprehensive domestic ecosystem and move beyond traditional service models to indigenous Intellectual Property ownership. Looking ahead, the integration of BITSILICA expertise in ASIC design and verification with Quest Global broader engineering services is expected to bolster India's strategic push to become a global chip design and manufacturing hub. With three major semiconductor plants already operational under ISM 1.0 and more expected by year-end 2026, and Prime Minister Modi poised to host a crucial semiconductor CEO roundtable, the focus is now squarely on scaling up indigenous capabilities. The industry will be watching closely to see how this consolidation, combined with massive government impetus, translates into India owning a larger, more critical piece of the AI-powered silicon future, particularly in niche areas like Physical AI and specialized chips for domestic devices.