Karnataka to invest ₹600 crore; aims to become India’s DeepTech Capital
Ahead of the 28th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS 2025), scheduled from 18 to 20 November 2025, Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology, Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka, announced the Government’s ₹600 crore investment to power the Deep Tech Decade, aimed at positioning Karnataka as the DeepTech Capital of India.
“This initiative reflects our vision to create a robust DeepTech pipeline supporting entrepreneurs working on technologies such as AI, ML, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and sustainability-driven innovation,” said Kharge.
AI Push
“The Government of Karnataka is investing ₹600 crore in DeepTech and AI under this initiative and is in discussions with leading venture capital firms to create a joint fund of up to ₹1,000 crore dedicated to DeepTech and AI start-ups in the State. Our blueprint is ready, and we are serious about being global players in the technology landscape.”
The ₹600 crore investment in Deep Tech includes ₹150 crore for DeepTech Elevate Fund, with a special focus on AI and frontier technologies. ₹80 crore will be assigned under the Elevate Beyond Bengaluru Fund to promote startups in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad and Kalaburagi. ₹75 crore through the KITVIN Fund will be for equity-based investments in DeepTech and AI startups, with funding between ₹50 lakh to ₹2 crore. ₹48 crore will be for new incubators and accelerators at IIT and IIIT Dharwad and Kalaburagi. And ₹110 crore for business incubators in higher education institutions, nurturing early innovation and entrepreneurship across 11 institutions already cleared by the Cabinet.
He further stated that the Government will explore fund-of-funds and co-investment models with the VC ecosystem to ensure continuous capital flow and scalability across the DeepTech value chain.
The meeting was also graced by Manjula N, IAS, Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt & S&T, Government of Karnataka; and Rahul Sankanur, IAS, Director, Dept. of Electronics, IT & BT and Managing Director, KITS, Government of Karnataka.
Alongside, the Department of Electronics, IT & BT, Government of Karnataka, announced the Future Makers Conclave (FMC). Scheduled for 20 November 2025, it will be a convergence of over 10,000 founders, entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and ecosystem leaders. FMC will serve as a showcase for India’s most promising AI and DeepTech startups. The programme will include show-and-tell sessions by emerging technology ventures, keynotes by celebrity speakers, unicorn founders, investors, and industry captains.
Kharge highlighted that the Future Makers Conclave will be India’s largest entrepreneurship platform for innovators and disruptors from across the globe. For the first time, the conclave will feature international participation, with global startups showcasing innovations in India while Indian startups present their technologies for global markets.
“Future Makers Conclave will be a confluence of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, corporate mentors, and future innovators,” said Kharge. “The participation of global stakeholders will serve as an accelerator for startup ambitions and demonstrate Karnataka’s aggressive pursuit to be at the forefront of DeepTech innovation across verticals.”
BTS 2025 will feature over 500 speakers, 20,000+ delegates, 1,000+ exhibitors and 50,000+ business visitors from over 60 countries.
Under the theme ‘Futurise’, the Summit will feature ten curated conference tracks spanning AI & DeepTech, Defence & SpaceTech, Electronics & Semiconductor, DigiHealth & Biotech, Energy & Mobility, Fintech, and Edutech.
The multi-pavilion exhibition will spotlight innovations across sectors with increased global participation. The Startup Springboard will feature investor pitching, mentoring clinics, thematic sessions, and the Startup Pavilion, offering growth-stage startups critical visibility and investor access
Published on November 3, 2025