Bengaluru, 18 Nov

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday unveiled three major policies - Information Technology Policy, SpaceTech Policy and Startup Policy - to transform the State into a global destination for innovation and deep tech solutions.

This will strengthen the State's position as India's leading technology hub, he said, asserting that Karnataka is "not merely participating in the global tech revolution, but leading it".

The CM said this during the inauguration of the 28th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 here, organised by the Karnataka Department of Electronics, IT and BT and Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).

Noting that Karnataka has always led India in policy innovation, the CM said, "We launched India's first IT policy in 1997 and continue this leadership with new policies”.

"At this summit, we are also taking a historic step with the launch of three transformative policies: The Karnataka Information Technology Policy 2025-2030, the SpaceTech Policy 2025-2030, and the Startup Policy 2025-2030. With this data-driven, emerging technology-ready Karnataka Information Technology Policy, we aim to transform the state into a global destination for innovation and deep tech."

With the SpaceTech Policy 2025-2030, Siddaramaiah said, "We aim to position Karnataka as India's leading space technology hub, capturing 50 per cent of the national market and 5 per cent globally by 2034."

"The new Startup Policy is being launched, and this policy aims to enable the creation of 25,000 startups over the next five years through strategic interventions in funding, market access, infrastructure, talent development, and social inclusion," he said, asserting that this forward-looking governance enhances Karnataka's competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global tech landscape.

Themed "Futurise", the three-day summit will bring together global leaders, policymakers, investors, startups, and innovators to explore emerging frontiers across DeepTech, Biotech & HealthTech, Semiconductors, and Startup Innovation.

Siddaramaiah said that Karnataka continues to remain one of India's top states for FDI inflows, global partnerships, and multinational investments due to its stability, predictability and transparency.

"The ecosystem blends world-class engineering, transparent policy, strong IP culture, and vibrant global communities. Our business environment is supported by top-tier legal, financial and technical expertise along with strong global connectivity," he added.

The Congress leader highlighted that Bengaluru's temperate climate, multicultural character, and open civic culture attract people from across the world.

"Karnataka offers everything businesses require, from research to markets, from infrastructure to talent. Innovation thrives where quality of life thrives. Karnataka is not simply participating in the global tech revolution. It is leading it," he added.

Reiterating the government's focus on building future-ready infrastructure for deep-science and advanced engineering, the chief minister said that the state has already established Centres of Excellence in AI, cyber-security, data science, animation and robotics, and is the first in India to launch a dedicated roadmap for quantum technologies.

He said that inclusivity is a defining feature of the state's approach.

Through the "Beyond Bengaluru" initiative, he said, "We are consciously decentralising our technology economy by developing Tier-2 cities as the next generation innovation clusters. This is not merely an economic strategy, it is a commitment to equitable growth".

"Every district in Karnataka must have access to the opportunities of the digital age. Every young person, whether in a metro or a small town, should have the chance to build a career in high-value technology and research."

Reiterating the government's commitment to fostering a supportive innovation ecosystem, the chief minister said Karnataka remains open and welcomes global and domestic players.

"Our message to the world is simple and sincere: the Government of Karnataka is here to support you. Whether you are a global company seeking to establish an R&D centre, a startup building your first prototype, an academician conducting frontier research, or an investor searching for transformative ideas, Karnataka is your home. We will provide the infrastructure, the skills, the policy environment, the talent pipeline, and above all, the confidence that your ambition will find every possible support here," he said.

Calling for collaboration, Siddaramaiah urged innovators, researchers, founders, investors, students, and leaders gathered to help shape the future.

"Let us work together to ensure that Artificial Intelligence becomes a force for inclusion, that Quantum Technologies unlock new frontiers of science, that Biotechnology and SpaceTech push the boundaries of human progress, and that DeepTech solutions address the biggest challenges of our time," he added.

At the Summit, pitching Bengaluru as an “ever-evolving engine of transformation,” Karnataka DyCM said the government is fast-tracking major infrastructure projects and building a world-class ‘AI City’ near Bidadi to anchor the next phase of the State’s tech growth. 

Speaking at the inauguration of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, he said over Rs 1 lakh crore is being invested to upgrade city infrastructure, including the 40-km twin-tunnel project, 41-km double-decker Metro, 110km elevated corridor, and buffer and corridor roads. A second airport and a dedicated NRI Secretariat are also planned.

Shivakumar said the proposed 9,000-acre AI City and an international business complex will position Bengaluru as a global hub for advanced technologies, supported by its deep talent pool of 25 lakh IT professionals. Calling technology and human capital the city’s “twin pillars,” he urged industry leaders to strengthen rural education through CSR partnerships.

He noted that delegations from nearly 60 countries are participating in the Summit, reaffirming Bengaluru’s position in the global tech landscape. Investors, he said, are “eager to put billions into Bengaluru,” encouraged by the state’s focus on easing business processes and improving urban mobility. “We will extend all possible support for mutual growth,” he added. - Agencies

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government and leading venture capital (VC) firms are set to create a joint fund exceeding Rs 1,000 crore to boost Deep Tech and AI start-ups in the state.

IT Minister Priyank Kharge announced that the State government is committing Rs 600 crore to the initiative. He noted that they are in discussions with top VCs to form the dedicated joint fund, with the total investment package hitting approximately Rs 1,100 crore.

This massive financial push will be formalised at the Future Makers Conclave on 20 November, a flagship event of the 28th Bengaluru Tech Summit. Kharge stated this initiative reflects a vision to create a "robust Deep Tech pipeline" supporting entrepreneurs in areas like AI, ML, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, and robotics.

Of the government's Rs 600 crore investment, key allocations include:

• Rs 150 crore for the Deep Tech Elevate Fund.
• Rs 80 crore for the Elevate Beyond Bengaluru Fund to promote start-ups in Tier-2 cities.
• Rs 75 crore through the KITVEN Fund for equity investments.
• Rs 48 crore for new incubators and accelerators at institutions like IIT and IIIT Dharwad.

Additionally, 16 VC funds will jointly commit Rs 430 crore towards Deep Tech and AI start-ups during the Conclave, demonstrating high investor confidence. The government will also establish six globally benchmarked Centres of Excellence with a Rs 90 crore budget for R&D in sectors like biotech, quantum, and space tech.