The Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission (KSPPC) has proposed expanding the state's technology ecosystem beyond Bengaluru to cities including Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, and Shivamogga.
“While Bengaluru has emerged as the nation’s technology capital, the roadmap emphasises the urgent need to decentralize innovation and strengthen technology ecosystems across tier-II and tier-III cities and rural regions of the states,” said KSPPC member S Mohanadass Hegde said in a letter to chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday.
Hegde submitted a brief initiative titled “Orchestrating Tech-Innovation in Karnataka – New Roadmap 2026,” as a part of making the state lead in fields such as startup ecosystem, semiconductor design, biotechnology, aerospace, artificial intelligence, digital governance, and advanced research.
While Bengaluru has emerged as the nation’s technology capital, the roadmap emphasises the urgent need to decentralize innovation and strengthen technology ecosystems across tier-II and tier-III cities and rural regions of the state, the letter said.
The proposed roadmap seeks to establish a collaborative governance framework connecting universities, incubation centers, research institutions, startups, MSMEs, industries, investors, and government departments through a unified innovation architecture.
Key strategic sectors identified under the initiative include artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, quantum technologies, climate-resilient systems, renewable energy, robotics, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, agritech, medtech, and digital public infrastructure, the letter added.
A major highlight of the roadmap is the proposed establishment of Karnataka Innovation Orchestration Centers (KIOCs), regional hubs designed to support deeptech incubation, collaborative research and development, intellectual property facilitation, skilling, prototyping, startup mentoring, and commercialization of indigenous technologies.
Planned for phased implementation between 2026 and 2032, the initiative is expected to generate high-value employment opportunities and attract global investments.
The proposal positions the state not only as India’s innovation capital but also as a future global model for decentralised, ethical, and technology-driven development aligned with the vision of Nava Karnataka 2047, said the letter.
