Karnataka Embarks on a Decade-Long Journey to Lead in Deep Technology

In a landmark announcement on Monday, the Karnataka Government unveiled its ambitious plan to spearhead a “Deep Tech Decade,” backed by an initial investment of Rs 600 crore. This strategic fund aims to catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship in cutting-edge technology sectors throughout the state. Priyank Kharge, the Minister overseeing Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology, as well as Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, emphasized the government’s commitment to establishing Karnataka as India’s premier hub for deep technology advancements.

Strategic Vision to Foster Advanced Technology Ecosystems

Minister Kharge highlighted that the initiative is designed to nurture a vibrant ecosystem for startups and innovators working on transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), quantum computing, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability-focused solutions. “Our goal is to build a strong pipeline of deep-tech ventures that can compete globally and drive economic growth,” he stated during the press briefing held at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru.

Expanding Investment Horizons with Venture Capital Partnerships

While the Rs 600 crore fund marks a significant starting point, the government is actively engaging with venture capital firms to potentially scale this investment to Rs 1,000 crore or beyond. Kharge acknowledged that the current allocation might not suffice to meet the ambitious growth targets over the next ten years. “We are reassessing the capital requirements and exploring joint funding models with private investors to ensure sustained financial support for AI and deep-tech startups across Karnataka,” he explained.

Allocation of Funds to Targeted Deep-Tech Initiatives

The Rs 600 crore corpus will be strategically distributed across several focused funds to maximize impact:

• DeepTech Elevate Fund (Rs 150 crore): Concentrated on AI and frontier technologies to accelerate innovation.
• Elevate Beyond Bengaluru Fund (Rs 80 crore): Dedicated to fostering startup ecosystems in emerging tech hubs like Mysuru and Mangaluru.
• KITVIN Fund (Rs 75 crore): Designed to provide equity investments ranging from Rs 50 lakhs to Rs 2 crores to promising deep-tech and AI startups.

Kharge also mentioned plans to implement a co-investment framework with venture capital partners, ensuring continuous capital flow and scalability throughout the deep-tech value chain.

Showcasing Innovation at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025

The upcoming 28th Bengaluru Tech Summit, scheduled for November 18-20 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), will prominently feature the Future Makers Conclave. This event is expected to spotlight emerging technologies and provide a platform for startups, investors, and industry leaders to collaborate and showcase Karnataka’s deep-tech prowess on a global stage.

With this comprehensive approach, Karnataka is positioning itself not only as a national leader but also as a global contender in the rapidly evolving deep technology landscape, driving economic growth and technological excellence well into the future.