Bengaluru-based startup Indkal Technologies has announced a new licensing agreement to launch Acer-branded smartphones in India. This move marks Acer’s return to the Indian smartphone market after a hiatus since its last release in 2016. Indkal Technologies will design, manufacture, and distribute these smartphones, with a focus on models priced between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 50,000.
Indkal recently raised $36 million (approximately Rs. 300 crore) in a Series A funding round led by the Mauritius-based Aries Opportunities Fund, which supports this new venture. The smartphones will be produced in India, supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative, and will feature advanced software technologies. Indkal aims to manufacture one million devices annually and is applying for the smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.
The new Acer smartphones will compete in the mid-range segment against brands like Oppo, Vivo, Tecno, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Samsung, all of which have a strong presence in the Indian market. The devices will be available through e-commerce platforms and offline retail stores.
Jade Zhou, Vice-president of Global Strategic Alliances at Acer Inc., expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled that Indkal Technologies will offer a wide range of Acer-branded smartphones in India, providing more choices and enhancing the user experience.”
Anand Dubey, CEO of Indkal Technologies, added, “These well-designed devices will deliver exceptional value with state-of-the-art hardware and software. We are confident that consumers will recognize the quality and innovation associated with the Acer brand.”
This is the second collaboration between Acer and Indkal Technologies, following the successful launch of Acer-branded smart TVs in India in 2021.
