IT BT Department, Karnataka

Bengaluru is home to 45 of India's 112 unicorns, with a combined valuation of $161 billion. Staggering numbers, but we are hungry for more — our ambition is to secure a spot among the top three startup hubs in the world and we are creating the right ecosystem and momentum to get there. At BTS 2024 we launched 50 new products from startups innovating across AI, Clean-Tech, Med-Tech, and Agri-Tech. Notably, 23 of these products came from women-led startups, showcasing Karnataka's commitment to inclusive innovation. Behind these achievements are initiatives like ELEVATE and the Karnataka Acceleration Network (KAN). With these programs we are providing Idea2PoC grants of up to ₹50 Lakh per startup and have so far funded 983 startups with over ₹224 crore in grants. This isn't a loan they need to repay- their success is the only return we seek. What's even more encouraging is seeing entrepreneurs from tier 2 and 3 cities leading this charge. Our Investor Connect program at Bengaluru Tech Summit brought 200 startups face-to-face with over 100 investors. Through our network of K-tech Innovation Hubs, Centers of Excellence (COE), and Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), we're creating the infrastructure these startups need to build solutions in deep tech, IoT, sustainability, and beyond. The proof is in the progress. #StartupKarnataka #BTS2024

🎉 A heartfelt thank you to the Honorable Minister Priyank M Kharge for gracing the Morning Pitch event on 21st November with your esteemed presence. Your insights and support are invaluable to us and the entire start-up community. 🙏 We are also deeply grateful to Secretary Dr. Ekroop Caur for your encouraging words to the start-ups gearing up for their journey to Japan as part of the Karnataka Delegation in December. Your motivation is a beacon of hope and inspiration for our entrepreneurs. 🌟 A special thanks to Deputy Secretary Ms Ruchi Bindal and GM KITS Ms. Parnika Pavanram for delivering such impactful keynote addresses during the Morning Pitch event. Your best wishes to the delegation of start-ups heading to Japan are truly appreciated and will undoubtedly energize their endeavors. Thank you all for your unwavering support and for fostering an environment of growth and innovation. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future for our start-ups. K-tech Biotechnology Facilitation Cell Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society Bengaluru Tech Summit Takahisa Ohira Vinod Vasudevan Gempei Asama Yuma Saito AUKLR Technologies Ci4 - Autonomous Defense Ignomagine Private Limited Bullwork Mobility RootsKart mSense AI GRIDsentry Astrogate Labs Vinay Raghuram Nitish Singh Shiv Shankar Maurya Sumana Mandal Abiramm BR Rajesh Rathi Susheel Chilashetty Sanketh Huddar Ashok B. Rajshree Bhadauria #MorningPitch #Startups #Innovation #KarnatakaDelegation #Japan #Entrepreneurship #ThankYou

The Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024 was a platform for many exciting product launches, and among them was 'Radiant' by Achyutha Innovations, winners of Elevate 2023. Founded by Sadashivaiah and Mrs. Anitha P. Sadashivaiah, 'Radiant' is a pre-harvest biochemical that boosts photosynthetic efficiency, improving fruit quality and yields by 65%, while reducing cultivation costs by 30%. Priyank M Kharge | Dr. Ekroop Caur | Ruchi Bindal | Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)| Startup Karnataka | Startup India | Bengaluru Tech Summit | Prathiba K P| Sourav Mazumdar| Ekant Tyagi |Purvaja Koli | Rajshree Bhadauria

"Robotics & Battery Tech: Disruption on Automation and Climate Tech" explored how cutting-edge technologies are driving both automation and sustainability. Moderated by Raghu Dharmaraju, CEO of Artpark, the session brought together experts like Dr. Bharadwaj Amrutur, Professor at IISc Bangalore; Ajay Gopalswamy, CEO of Difacto; and Pankaj Sharma, Co-Founder of Log9. The panel delved into the transformative impact of robotics in automation and how advancements in battery technology are enabling climate tech solutions, emphasizing the intersection of innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Priyank M Kharge | Dr. Ekroop Caur | Ruchi Bindal | Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)| Startup Karnataka | Startup India | Bengaluru Tech Summit | Prathiba K P| Sourav Mazumdar| Ekant Tyagi |Purvaja Koli | Rajshree Bhadauria

The session "Space and Drone: Mastering the 'Final Frontier'" delved into the exciting advancements in space exploration and drone technology, exploring their potential to transform industries and shape the future. Moderated by Awais Ahmed, Founder & CEO of Pixxel, the panel featured thought leaders like Parithi Govindaraju, Founder, CEO & Director of Okulo Aerospace; Rohan M. Ganapathy, CEO & CTO of Bellatrix Aerospace; and Sameer Joshi, CEO of Newspace Research. Together, they discussed the emerging trends in space and drone technologies, from satellite innovations to autonomous aerial systems, and how these breakthroughs are revolutionizing sectors such as communication, transportation, and earth observation. Priyank M Kharge | Dr. Ekroop Caur | Ruchi Bindal | Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)| Startup Karnataka | Startup India | Bengaluru Tech Summit | Prathiba K P| Sourav Mazumdar| Ekant Tyagi |Purvaja Koli | Rajshree Bhadauria

The session "Transform the World with FinTech - One Organization at a Time" explored how financial technology is reshaping industries and transforming the global economy. Moderated by Sandhya Vasudevan, Board Member of TiE Bangalore, the panel featured Alok Patnia, Founder and Managing Partner of Taxmantra Global, and Vishal Kanvaty, CTO of NPCI. The discussion centered on how FinTech is enabling organizations to scale operations, improve financial inclusion, and streamline payments, ultimately leading to a more accessible and efficient financial ecosystem worldwide. Priyank M Kharge | Dr. Ekroop Caur | Ruchi Bindal | Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)| Startup Karnataka | Startup India | Bengaluru Tech Summit | Prathiba K P| Sourav Mazumdar| Ekant Tyagi |Purvaja Koli | Rajshree Bhadauria

In the session "Quantum: What will Quantum Technology Disrupt?" the future of quantum technology and its far-reaching implications were explored. Moderated by Naganand Doraswamy, Managing Partner at Ideaspring, the discussion featured leading experts including Shesha Raghunathan, Global Lead for the Startup Ecosystem at IBM Quantum; Arindam Ghosh, Professor at IISc; and Dr. Krishna V. Palem, Co-Founder & CEO. Additionally, Sunil Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO of Qnu Labs, joined the panel to shed light on the role of quantum computing in transforming industries. Together, they discussed the disruptive potential of quantum technologies and how they could revolutionize fields like cryptography, computing, and communication. Priyank M Kharge | Dr. Ekroop Caur | Ruchi Bindal | Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)| Startup Karnataka | Startup India | Bengaluru Tech Summit | Prathiba K P| Sourav Mazumdar| Ekant Tyagi |Purvaja Koli | Rajshree Bhadauria

Building Zero Trust Security and Ransomware Resilience examined strategies to safeguard organizations against cybersecurity threats while emphasizing a Zero Trust approach to security frameworks. Moderated by Venk Krishnan, Founder of NuWare, the panel featured Glenn Murray (Vescient), Rajiv Chetwani (ISRO HQ), Jyothsna Jayaram (TriLegal), and Genie Sugene Gan (Kaspersky). The discussion focused on best practices for building ransomware resilience, fostering robust cybersecurity policies, and implementing advanced security measures to protect critical systems. Priyank M Kharge Dr. Ekroop Caur Ruchi Bindal Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) Startup Karnataka Startup India, Bengaluru Tech Summit Prathiba K P| Sourav Mazumdar| Ekant Tyagi |Purvaja Koli

David Ewing Duncan, CEO of Arc Fusion and contributor to Vanity Fair and Wired, delivered an insightful presentation on how AI is revolutionizing the intersection of biology, medicine, and health. Priyank M Kharge Dr. Ekroop Caur Ruchi Bindal Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) Startup Karnataka Startup India, Bengaluru Tech Summit Prathiba K P| Sourav Mazumdar| Ekant Tyagi |Purvaja Koli

Belgium - Europe’s Hub for Life Sciences and Your Strategic Partner for Expansion highlighted Belgium’s role as a key destination for life sciences innovation and collaboration.  Moderated by Vishnu Nagaraj, Co-Founder and CEO of Carve Startup Labs, the session featured insights from Frank Geerkens (Consul General, Consulate General of Belgium in Mumbai), Arne Aertbeliën (hub.brussels), and Dharanidharan Sivasamy (hub.brussels).  The discussion explored Belgium’s strengths in fostering cutting-edge life sciences research, its strategic location in Europe, and opportunities for global partnerships in the sector. Priyank M Kharge Dr. Ekroop Caur Ruchi Bindal Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) Startup Karnataka Startup India, Bengaluru Tech Summit Prathiba K P| Sourav Mazumdar| Ekant Tyagi |Purvaja Koli