Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing, has announced significant plans for expansion in India, including a new manufacturing joint venture and a commitment to invest over $100 million over the next three years. The announcement followed a meeting between Pei and Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology.
In a statement, Pei lauded Minister Vaishnaw as “the driving force behind Make in India and the country’s thriving tech ecosystem.” He expressed strong confidence in the nation’s technological future, stating, “There is no doubt; India will play a key role in shaping the future of the global smartphone industry.”
CMF to be built from India
A key element of the strategic plan involves Nothing’s sub-brand, CMF. According to Pei, the company intends to establish CMF as a subsidiary headquartered in India. The stated ambition is to build it into “the country’s first truly global consumer tech brand. Built from India, to the world.” Pei noted that the company’s existing “end-to-end capabilities” position it to achieve this goal.
Optiemus Partnership
To facilitate this vision, Nothing will form a new manufacturing joint venture (JV) with Optiemus, a leading Indian technology manufacturer. This partnership is a cornerstone of the expansion strategy. The planned investment of over $100 million through this JV is expected to generate more than 1,800 jobs in India over the next three years.
The move aligns with the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative, which encourages domestic manufacturing and technological self-reliance. By establishing a local manufacturing base and brand headquarters, Nothing aims to deepen its integration into one of the world’s largest consumer technology markets.