Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge announces MIST, AI University, and increased funding for deep-tech startups. The state aims to lead in AI and innovation.
The summit will be held from November 17 to 19 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) under the theme ‘AI & Beyond’, the Minister who holds the Information Technology, Biotechnology and Home portfolios, said.
The minister also announced the constitution of a Deep Tech Working Group, a Government First policy to make government datasets available to startups through a regulatory sandbox, and said Karnataka would continue to position itself as the country’s leading destination for artificial intelligence and deep-tech innovation.
“AI may be the current buzzword, but Karnataka has always led emerging technologies and will continue to lead the next phase of artificial intelligence. BTS will serve as a platform for policy discussions, strategic decisions and the preparation of a blueprint not only for Karnataka but also for the country,” Kharge told reporters.
Kharge said the government has launched the Innovers Foundation to mentor revenue-generating deep-tech startups, help them access global markets and facilitate the adoption of their innovations by the government through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Reiterating that the next decade would be Karnataka’s “Deep Tech Decade”, he said the government has doubled funding for deep-tech startups under Elevate Next, increasing the maximum grant from Rs 50 lakh to Rs one crore.
He said 983 applications were received, from which 33 deep-tech startups were selected and awarded grants totalling Rs 33 crore. Of these, 24 startups are from Bengaluru, one each from Hoskote, Udupi, Bidar and Hubballi, while five are from Delhi, Maharashtra and Telangana.
“What is particularly encouraging is that 12 of the 33 startups are women-led,” Kharge said, adding that grants ranged from Rs 85 lakh to Rs one crore.
The minister also announced the formation of a Deep Tech Working Group/Vision Group, led by industry representatives, to strengthen Karnataka’s deep-tech ecosystem.
Announcing MIST, Kharge said part of the old NGF factory premises in Bengaluru would be transformed into India’s first Museum of Innovation, Startup and Technology at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
He said the project would preserve the heritage factory structure and would be designed by Dublin-based architectural firm Heneghan Peng, known for designing the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Kharge said the proposed Government First policy would allow startups and companies to access government datasets and public digital infrastructure through a regulatory sandbox, with the government becoming the first customer for viable solutions developed using public data.
He also announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art AI University, developed in partnership with industry, think tanks and private companies, to focus on skilling, upskilling, research and development, incubation and global collaborations.
Drawing a parallel with the Indian Institute of Science, Kharge said the proposed AI University would create a globally competitive ecosystem for artificial intelligence, adding that a detailed blueprint would be ready within 15 to 20 days.
Addressing concerns over AI-led job disruptions, the minister said the government was rolling out Nipuna Karnataka, which he described as India’s largest reskilling and upskilling programme, with an outlay of over Rs 300 crore.
He said the industry-led programme aims to ensure 70 per cent placement and 100 per cent employability, equipping professionals with skills needed in emerging technologies as automation and artificial intelligence reshape the workforce.
Kharge also said Karnataka was finalising a framework for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in governance and was preparing a Sustainable Data Centre Policy to promote environmentally sustainable technologies such as liquid cooling while ensuring future data centres have access to renewable energy and adequate water resources.