Hyderabad: Nothing Expands Operations in India with New Subsidiary
London-based smartphone company Nothing is making significant moves by establishing its sub-brand, CMF (Colour, Material, Finish), as an independent entity, using India as its primary base for operations, research, and production. Unlike the premium offerings under the Nothing brand, CMF aims to provide budget-friendly technology products, appealing to cost-conscious consumers.
During a meeting with Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Nothing’s CEO Carl Pei shared his vision for the new subsidiary. He expressed excitement about creating India’s first truly global consumer tech brand, emphasizing their thorough capabilities to develop products from India for the world.
To support this initiative, Nothing announced a substantial $100 million joint venture with Optiemus Infracom Limited, a well-known Indian electronics manufacturer. This partnership will not only establish India as a hub for CMF’s manufacturing but also aims to create over 1,800 jobs within three years. Pei pointed out the significance of India in shaping the global smartphone sector.
After Pei co-founded Nothing in October 2020, the company quickly gained attention, launching its first product, the Nothing Ear (1), in July 2021, followed by the Nothing Phone (1) in March 2022. The launch of their second smartphone, the Nothing Phone (2), in July 2023, further solidified their market presence. In September 2023, they introduced CMF, starting with wearables like the CMF Buds Pro and CMF Watch Pro.
CMF’s entry into the smartphone market began with the CMF Phone 1 in July 2024, which made waves in the budget segment. The CMF Phone 2 Pro, launched in April 2025, received positive feedback for its updated features while maintaining affordability.
Nothing’s investment in India has surpassed $200 million, indicating the region’s strategic importance in their growth plans. Optiemus’s engineering expertise will play a crucial role in the success of this venture. Ashok Gupta, Executive Chairman of Optiemus, highlighted how global brands are increasingly looking to India for manufacturing, reflecting the optimism surrounding initiatives like “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
As global interest in Indian manufacturing grows, this partnership not only illustrates a shift in the tech landscape, but also aims to showcase India’s innovation and talent to the world.
For more insights into the evolution of consumer technology in India, you can explore this report from Statista.
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