My talk at KYSE 3.0 – Know Your Startup Ecosystem

KYSE 3.0 – Know Your Startup Ecosystem

Department of Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology (ITBT), Government of Karnataka and Global Incubation Services (GINSERV), Bangalore, organised a "Sensitisation Workshop" for various Departments of the Government of Karnataka.

"KYSE 3.0 – Know Your Startup Ecosystem" was organised on 10 January 2024 ('VIRTUAL Platform'). 

The workshop is aimed at sensitising and helping government departments understand the startup ecosystem, leading to the promotion of entrepreneurship and the growth of startup culture.

I have been invited as an 'Esteemed Speaker' to take the "Policy and Regulations related to the Startup Ecosystem in India" session.

Though it amounted to collecting the state of the startup ecosystem in India and Karnataka, it has been great learning for me.

I started my session by discussing how India, in our dreams, becomes a reality. Frontiers in S&T, the ability to develop new knowledge and excellence in higher education, research, and high-quality manufacturing, lays the foundation for us to realise our dreams. Technology maximisation and time minimisation are the abilities we need to nurture.

I have briefly described the startup ecosystem, where innovation, development, and improvement (services, processes, and products) are essential. The business models should be scalable, with employment and wealth generation possible.   

Discussed innovation and gave examples of incremental, breakthrough, and disruptive innovations.

Nurturing startup ecosystem needs at each stage, ideation, validation, early traction, and scaling. India's remarkable transformation is due to the proactive role played by the Governments (both Central and State). The measures taken to provide funding and incentivise, simplify procedures, and handhold are helping the startups. It is a proud moment to realise that India is now ranked 3rd largest startup ecosystem, and Karnataka has 43 Unicorns.    

Discussed the impact of startups in Space Technology and how Digital Transformation impacts businesses. India has taken proactive steps to make business easy, reflected in India's standing at 63 in the Ease of Doing Business Index. This was 134 in 2014. Steps are being taken to achieve the goal of India being a 5 Trillion economy.

Karnataka Government has taken steps to spread the growth beyond Bengaluru and help women and women entrepreneurs (Elevate WomEn).

Since many of the officials are from the Department of Tourism, I gave my perspective on enhancing the tourism sector and how the recent visit of the honourable PM to Lakshadweep has transformed the tourism scenario of these beautiful islands. Karnataka is blessed with many heritage, cultural, religious, and natural beauty and has the potential to take tourism to the next level. Startups can play a crucial role. Gave suggestions to take it forward.

The way to be innovative is to empower people and hold them accountable for their work.

It has been very satisfying for me to take the session, and the feedback is that it ignited the participants' interest. Sure, Karnataka will achieve laurels by doing more in the Startup ecosystem.

Appreciate the authorities of the Department of Electronics, IT & BT, Government of Karnataka and GINSERV for inviting me and bestowing the honour of being an "Esteemed Speaker".