Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Sets Agenda For Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025; Ex-ISRO Chief Shares 3-Point Tech Vision
Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 to showcase ‘futurise' vision, targeting 500 new Global Capability Centres and 3.5 lakh jobs by 2029.
Published : August 11, 2025 at 2:25 PM IST
By Mohammad Rafiq Mulla and Anubha Jain
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met with over 100 CEOs and industry leaders at a special Breakfast Meet in a private hotel in Bengaluru, setting the tone for the upcoming Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 scheduled for November 18–20. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, IT & BT Minister Priyank Kharge, Keonics Chairman Sharath Bachegowda, and senior government officials were present at the meeting.
At the event, former ISRO Chairman S Somanath outlined three key focus areas for the Bengaluru Tech Summit and urged policymakers to frame policies that address them.
Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 Theme: "Futurise – Bhavishyodaya"
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the summit will showcase Karnataka’s leadership in innovation, technology, and future-ready policies.
“Our vision is simple – to make Karnataka the place where the world comes to solve its biggest challenges,” Siddaramaiah told the gathering.
Highlighting Karnataka’s contribution to the national economy, Siddaramaiah said, the state accounts for 44 per cent of India’s software exports. The IT & ITeS sector contributes 26 per cent of Karnataka’s economy, with the state hosting over 875 Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which is 30 per cent of the national total. Siddaramaiah further said that they aim to add 500 more GCCs by 2029, creating 3.5 lakh jobs and generating USD 50 billion in output.
The government is developing tech clusters beyond Bengaluru to promote balanced growth, the CM said, adding that Karnataka is home to over 18,300 startups and more than 45 unicorns.
“This shows we are the best place for entrepreneurs to start and grow big,” he said.
Bengaluru ranks 5th among the world’s top AI cities and holds nearly 50 per cent of India’s AI talent. The state is also home to India’s first state-level Quantum Technology Roadmap, he added. AI initiatives include a Centre of Excellence in collaboration with IIT to support startups, train professionals, and advance research.
In quantum tech, Karnataka aims to become Asia’s top Quantum Innovation Hub by 2035, targeting a USD 20 billion quantum economy, with plans for Quantum Hardware Parks, Innovation Zones, and a Global Quantum Conclave in Bengaluru, the CMS further said.
CM Siddaramaiah also announced a series of specialised hubs, which include:
- QWIN City – An integrated ecosystem for Wellness, Innovation, and New-age industries with dedicated R&D clusters and global-standard infrastructure.
- Health City – A world-class healthcare and life sciences hub combining medical research, biotech innovation, med-tech manufacturing, and super-speciality hospitals.
- Thematic clusters in Agri-Tech, Electric Mobility, and Green Energy to ensure every future-focused sector finds a home in Karnataka.
Inviting industry leaders to partner with the government, Siddaramaiah said, “Let us write the next chapter of Karnataka’s growth story and ensure the state leads the world.”
Former ISRO Chairman gives 3-point tech push for Karnataka
In a discussion, former ISRO Chairman S Somanath highlighted a 3-point tech push for Karnataka, which is as follows:
1) Encouraging sub-system development and manufacturing: While components and spacecraft supply chains are largely outsourced to various industries, real value addition will occur when Karnataka actively promotes the development of subsystems—such as sensors, cameras, optical systems, solar panels, and onboard processors. He stressed that although companies manufacture the full product, the state should focus on boosting local capability in these critical subcomponents.
2) Strengthening academia–industry collaboration: The connection between academia and industry remains limited and needs to go beyond superficial engagement. Universities, research institutions, and students should play a more active role in contributing to Karnataka’s technology ecosystem.
3) Addressing talent and skill gaps in manufacturing: The manufacturing sector faces a shortage of skilled manpower. Somanath proposed establishing high-tech skilling facilities across the state, supported by both academia and industry, to ensure a steady flow of trained professionals into the sector.
Under the theme "Futurise", the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 will be a call to imagine, innovate, and implement technologies that will shape the decades ahead and drive transformation across the tech ecosystem.
This year’s summit will feature 10 specialised tracks, including IT & Deeptech, Electron-Semicon, Digital Health & Biotech, the Startup Ecosystem, Global Collaboration, and the India–USA Tech Conclave. New additions include AI Universe, Finverse, and Defence & Spacetech.
The meeting concluded with an open invitation to participate in the Bengaluru Tech Summit and contribute ideas for Karnataka’s technological future.
