BENGALURU, 22 SEPT 

The State IT Minister, Priyank Kharge, announced the Local Economy Accelerator Program (LEAP), aimed at ensuring that the benefits of innovation are widely distributed across the State. 

"LEAP is our commitment to ensuring that the fruits of innovation are shared across the State," Kharge stated, emphasising the potential of empowering entrepreneurs in cities such as Mysuru, Hubbali, and Kalaburagi.

With an ambitious budget of Rs 1,000 crores over five years, LEAP seeks to create 500,000 jobs and establish Karnataka as a diversified global technology leader. Ekroop Caur, Secretary to the Government for Electronics, IT, BT, and S&T, highlighted the programme's strategic design, noting that it offers comprehensive support for innovators starting from schools to deep-tech startups through initiatives like the Startup Foundry and ELEVATE NXT.

By addressing critical gaps in infrastructure, funding, and mentorship, the LEAP programme aims to create a vibrant innovation ecosystem throughout Karnataka. The State government envisions transforming regions like Mysuru-Chamarajanagar and Mangaluru-Udupi into self-sustaining and competitive innovation hubs.