Nothing CMF to Run as India-Based Independent Subsidiary in $100M JV With Optiemus to Build Global Smartphone Brand

London-based Nothing has announced that its CMF design-focused sub-brand will operate as an independent subsidiary, with its global headquarters in India. The move positions India as the base for CMF’s operations, including product development, engineering, and manufacturing. This shift aligns with Nothing’s strategy to diversify its supply chain and tap into India’s growing electronics ecosystem.

Nothing and Optiemus Infracom have formed a manufacturing joint venture to establish India as a global production and export hub for CMF products and Nothing devices. The joint venture will coordinate design and development work with manufacturing, aiming to support global demand while strengthening domestic capabilities. It signals a major step in scaling India’s role as a manufacturing and export base for consumer tech.

The venture includes an investment of more than $100 million in India over the next three years and is expected to create more than 1,800 local jobs across its facilities, suppliers, and logistics networks. The plan signals a meaningful expansion of the Indian manufacturing footprint for Nothing, complementing existing collaborations and supplier relationships. The company notes the project will bolster local capabilities and supply chain resilience as it expands.

Nothing notes that it has already invested more than $200 million in India to date, reflecting a long-standing commitment to the country’s tech manufacturing base.

CMF’s evolution is framed as an effort to build India’s first truly global consumer technology brand that is designed in India for the world. By embedding design, development, and production in one country, the company aims to accelerate product iterations and speed to market.

Ashok Gupta, Executive Chairman of Optiemus Infracom, said the partnership will strengthen India’s world-class manufacturing footprint and empower the company to deliver export-ready products. He highlighted how global brands seeking India as their manufacturing and design hub reflect the strength of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Nothing CEO Carl Pei described CMF as uniquely positioned to become India’s first truly global smartphone brand. He noted that India will play a central role in shaping the future of the global smartphone industry and that CMF’s end-to-end capabilities help turn that vision into reality.

The collaboration also underscores broader policy goals, with leaders citing the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives that promote domestic manufacturing and export expansion for electronics.

The company’s financing round—Nothing’s Series C, which raised around $200 million—raised its valuation to about $1.3 billion. This funding supports expansion plans in multiple regions, including the new India-focused JV.

Overall, the agreement cements India’s role as a production and export hub for Nothing and CMF and signals continued momentum for the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat agendas in the electronics sector.