Karnataka Government Showcases 50 Revolutionary Startup Innovations at Bengaluru Tech Summit

Innovation takes center stage when entrepreneurial vision meets government support. Yesterday, the tech world witnessed a remarkable moment as the Karnataka government unveiled 50 innovative products and solutions developed by startups on the second day of the 28th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit, creating an inspiring showcase of homegrown technological brilliance.

The Rise of India’s Innovation Capital

Bengaluru Tech Summit startups are transforming how we think about innovation on a global scale. This three-day technological extravaganza, running from November 18-20, 2025, has become more than just an event. It’s a movement that’s reshaping India’s startup landscape.

The numbers tell an incredible story. Karnataka is home to over 16,000 startups and the state accounts for nearly 47% of India’s total startup funding. Even more impressive? Since 2010, Bengaluru-based start-ups have raised USD 79 billion, accounting for 46 per cent of all venture capital deployed in India since 2016.

What makes this particularly exciting is the diversity of sectors represented. They span IT/ITeS, agri-tech, med-tech, healthcare, clean-tech, artificial intelligence, deep tech, Internet of Things, cybersecurity, Software as a Service (SaaS), R&D, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics, and Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM).

A Young Innovator Steals the Show

Among the 50 showcased innovations, one story captured hearts worldwide. Among the innovators was eight-year-old Athvik Amith Kumar, the youngest participant, who launched Zozo Connect, a digital business card, in the presence of IT Minister Priyank Kharge and other dignitaries.

This young entrepreneur’s creation isn’t just a novelty. Officials said Zozo Connect aims to simplify networking through smart, seamless sharing and easy branding. It perfectly embodies the summit’s theme of “Futurise” – shaping tomorrow through today’s innovations.

The Government’s Strategic Support System

The success of these Bengaluru Tech Summit startups didn’t happen overnight. Most of the startups involved are incubated at Karnataka government-supported facilities such as K-Tech Innovation Hubs, Centres of Excellence, and Technology Business Incubators anchored by IISc.

Furthermore, They are also supported by industry associations like NASSCOM and the India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA). This ecosystem approach ensures startups have access to world-class infrastructure and mentorship.

The government’s commitment goes beyond infrastructure. Most of the startups are also recipients of the government’s flagship Idea2PoC (Proof of Concept) ELEVATE grant-in-aid seed funding programme. This comprehensive support system transforms ideas into market-ready solutions.

Karnataka’s Ambitious Vision for the Future

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled three transformative policies at the summit. 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 the SpaceTech Policy 2025-2030, we strive to position Karnataka as India’s leading space technology hub, capturing 50% of the national market and 5% of the global market by 2034. The new Startup Policy is being launched, aiming to create 25,000 startups over the next five years through strategic interventions in funding, market access, infrastructure, talent development, and social inclusion.

These policies demonstrate the state’s commitment to maintaining its leadership position in India’s tech ecosystem. The ambitious target of 25,000 new startups shows how Karnataka startup innovations are set to multiply exponentially.

Global Recognition and Impressive Statistics

The international recognition of Bengaluru Tech Summit startups continues to grow. Bengaluru is the fifth-largest unicorn hub globally, after Silicon Valley, New York, Beijing, and London, with 53 unicorns valued at USD 192 billion.

The city’s innovation prowess extends beyond just funding. Its score of 910 in the global patents metric is comparable to Silicon Valley and Tokyo, reflecting its strength in IP generation and applied innovation. This demonstrates that Karnataka government tech initiatives are producing world-class intellectual property.

What’s particularly remarkable is the speed of success. Start-ups in Bengaluru also achieved the fastest average time to exit—6.8 years—among 13 global hubs, faster than Silicon Valley (7.9 years) and Beijing (8.3 years). This speed reflects the maturity, investor confidence, and market readiness of Bengaluru’s ecosystem.

Beyond Bengaluru: Expanding the Innovation Footprint

Karnataka government tech initiatives aren’t limited to Bengaluru alone. Over 450 “Beyond Bengaluru” start-ups have engaged in state cluster initiatives, supported by the Cluster Seed Fund and Karnataka Accelerator Network, ensuring access to capital and mentorship for non-metro ventures. Emerging clusters such as Mangaluru, Mysuru, and Hubballi-Dharwad are now ‘Cluster-as-a-Product’ destinations. Mangaluru, for example, saw tech firm Novigo Solutions acquired for Rs 950 crore, reflecting national and global investor confidence in non-metro start-ups.

This decentralized approach ensures that innovation benefits reach every corner of the state. It’s creating multiple innovation hubs rather than concentrating everything in one city.

The AI and Deep Tech Revolution

50 new startups in Bengaluru are particularly strong in artificial intelligence and deep technology. Bengaluru is recognised as India’s AI and Quantum Computing hub, attracting global giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Graphcore. The city accounted for 58 per cent of India’s AI start-up funding in the last five years and is home to USD 872 million in AI investments, leading the nation in both funding and deal count.

The recent funding trends are equally encouraging. The 2024–25 period saw a 26 per cent rise in seed funding, with Bengaluru-based start-ups capturing 82 per cent of India’s AI application layer funding, reflecting strong investor conviction in early-stage deep-tech and AI ventures.

Women Leading the Charge

Karnataka’s startup ecosystem demonstrates remarkable inclusivity. The city leads India in women-led start-ups, with 1,600 active ventures since 2010 that have collectively raised USD 10 billion. This shows how Bengaluru Tech Summit highlights include promoting gender diversity in entrepreneurship.

Infrastructure and Global Presence

The scale of this year’s summit reflects Karnataka’s growing importance. The three-day Bengaluru Tech Summit, themed ‘Futurise’, will host 15,000 delegates, 550 speakers and 1,000+ exhibitors across 60+ countries. With over 550 speakers, 15,000 delegates, 1,000+ exhibitors and 50,000+ business visitors, the Summit will spotlight breakthrough technologies and catalyse innovation journeys across sectors such as IT and deeptech, semiconductors, healthtech and biotech, AI, fintech, defence, spacetech, mobility and climate tech.

The state’s economic contribution is equally impressive. The state contributes 42% of India’s IT exports—valued at over ₹3.2 lakh crore—and hosts more than 550 Global Capability Centres. The state contributes 42% of India’s IT exports—valued at over ₹3.2 lakh crore—and hosts more than 550 Global Capability Centres.

Looking Ahead: New Initiatives and Programs

The Karnataka government announced exciting new programs at the summit. Karnataka announced six new letters of intent (LoIs) and a set of skilling partnerships at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 on November 19. The projects include new units in electronics manufacturing, EV systems, battery recycling, biotechnology and a dedicated drone testing site. The IT minister, Priyank Kharge, said the agreements form part of the state’s wider plan to support innovation clusters and deepen the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP).

Additionally, The state also launched the Nipuna Karnataka initiative to train 4,000 youth in fields such as AI, cybersecurity and data science. Officials said the first phase will open access to 2,800 job opportunities with partner companies.

The Future of Innovation

As we witness these 50 groundbreaking innovations unveiled at the Bengaluru Tech Summit startups showcase, one thing becomes crystal clear – Karnataka isn’t just participating in the global tech revolution; it’s leading it. From an eight-year-old’s digital business card to sophisticated AI applications, the diversity and quality of innovations demonstrate the state’s commitment to nurturing creativity at every level.

The government’s comprehensive approach – combining funding, infrastructure, mentorship, and policy support – creates an environment where ideas don’t just survive; they thrive. With ambitious plans to create 25,000 new startups and capture significant portions of global markets in space technology and other sectors, Karnataka’s startup ecosystem is poised for unprecedented growth.

This year’s Bengaluru Tech Summit highlights aren’t just about celebrating current achievements. They’re about setting the stage for the next wave of innovations that will emerge from India’s Silicon Valley. As these 50 startup innovations demonstrate, the future of technology isn’t just being discussed in Bengaluru – it’s being built, one breakthrough at a time.

FAQs

Q1: What are the 50 startup innovations unveiled at Bengaluru Tech Summit?

The Karnataka government showcased 50 diverse startup innovations spanning IT/ITeS, agri-tech, med-tech, healthcare, clean-tech, AI, deep tech, IoT, cybersecurity, SaaS, R&D, animation, and electronics manufacturing sectors.

Q2: Who was the youngest innovator at Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025?

Eight-year-old Athvik Amith Kumar was the youngest participant who launched Zozo Connect, a digital business card that simplifies networking through smart, seamless sharing and easy branding.

Q3: What new policies did Karnataka announce at the Tech Summit?

Karnataka unveiled three transformative policies: the Karnataka Information Technology Policy 2025-2030, SpaceTech Policy 2025-2030, and Startup Policy 2025-2030, aiming to create 25,000 new startups.

Q4: How much funding have Bengaluru startups raised since 2010?

Bengaluru-based startups have raised USD 79 billion since 2010, accounting for 46% of all venture capital deployed in India since 2016, making it the fifth-largest unicorn hub globally.

Q5: What support systems does Karnataka provide for startups? 

Karnataka offers comprehensive support through K-Tech Innovation Hubs, Centres of Excellence, Technology Business Incubators, the ELEVATE grant-in-aid program, and partnerships with NASSCOM and IESA.

Q6: What is Karnataka’s contribution to India’s IT exports? 

Karnataka contributes 42% of India’s IT exports, valued at over ₹3.2 lakh crore, and hosts more than 550 Global Capability Centres, representing nearly one-third of India’s total GCCs.

Q7: How does Bengaluru compare globally in terms of innovation metrics?

Bengaluru achieved the fastest average time to exit (6.8 years) among 13 global hubs, faster than Silicon Valley (7.9 years) and Beijing (8.3 years), with a global patents score comparable to Silicon Valley and Tokyo.