K’taka Unveils Major Initiatives to Boost IT-BT Sector with Global Innovation Districts

The Bengaluru Global Innovation District will be integrated into the Knowledge, Well-being, and Innovation City (KWIN City), envisioned as a global hub for research and innovation.

The Karnataka government is intensifying efforts to enhance its information technology and biotechnology (IT-BT) landscape by leveraging its regional workforce and infrastructure strengths.

As part of its vision, the state will establish three dedicated Global Innovation Districts in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Belagavi, housing Global Capability Centres (GCCs) to drive technological advancements.

The Bengaluru Global Innovation District will be integrated into the Knowledge, Well-being, and Innovation City (KWIN City), envisioned as a global hub for research and innovation.

"Our state is a preferred destination for GCCs due to our unmatched engineering talent and having the highest number of AI professionals globally. With initiatives like 'NIPUNA Karnataka,' we aim to create an industry-ready workforce," stated Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the 27th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS).

Karnataka’s start-up ecosystem has seen significant growth, with a notable 18.2% increase from 2022 to 2023, culminating in 3,036 start-ups, including 1,054 in the life sciences sector.

The state is recognized as a leader in biotech, contributing 60% of India's biotech companies and employing nearly 54% of the nation's biotech workforce. Karnataka also holds a 30% share of biotech investments across India.

To further bolster the IT-BT sectors, the state has signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Microsoft, Intel, Accenture, IBM, and the BFSI Consortium during BTS 2024.

These collaborations are expected to harness Karnataka’s strengths in IT and biotechnology.

Siddaramaiah emphasized a cluster-based approach to foster balanced regional growth and attract investments in emerging clusters beyond Bengaluru. "We are tailoring policies and infrastructure to harness regional strengths," he said.

Key initiatives include:

‘Namma Grama Namma Raste’ Programme: Enhancing rural connectivity.

Special Development Programme: Improving accessibility and economic opportunities across Karnataka.

‘Beyond Bengaluru’ Initiative: Expanding technology-driven benefits to rural areas, enhancing e-education, and improving healthcare access.

The government’s GCC policy draft targets establishing 500 new GCCs, aiming for a total of 1,000 GCCs by 2029. These centers are expected to generate 3.5 lakh new jobs and contribute $50 billion in economic output, catalyzing economic growth across the state.

Focus on GCCs & Innovation Ecosystem

Minister for Information Technology Priyank Kharge highlighted the importance of GCCs as engines of innovation and job creation.

"Our policy is built on four foundational pillars: cultivating a skilled workforce, fostering collaboration between GCCs and Karnataka's innovation ecosystem, creating a supportive regulatory framework, and offering targeted incentives for growth," Kharge said.

Tailored incentives and support structures have been designed to meet the unique needs of GCCs, enabling them to fully harness Karnataka’s potential.

Center of Excellence in AI Announced

In a significant move to advance research and development, the government announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Bengaluru.

This initiative is expected to strengthen Karnataka’s position as a leader in emerging technologies.

The state’s collaboration with the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) has connected over 200 start-ups with 100 funding firms, providing capital, mentorship, and growth opportunities.

Through these efforts, Karnataka aims to solidify its reputation as a global hub for innovation, ensuring growth across IT-BT sectors while extending benefits to rural areas.

With investments in infrastructure and policy frameworks, the state is paving the way for sustained technological and economic progress.

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