With a first-of-its-kind Future Makers’ Conclave for entrepreneurs, the Karnataka Government will host the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 from November 18 to 20. The summit with the theme “futurise” will focus on deep tech and artificial intelligence, Information Technology/Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge told a news conference on Monday.
With over 10,000 entrepreneurs from across the country participating, the Future Makers’ Conclave will be larger than the Startup Mahakumbh organised by the Central Government. Around 500 speakers, 20,000 delegates, 1,000+ exhibitors, and about 50,000 visitors from 60 countries will participate in the summit being held at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), the minister said.
“What the department intends to do (at the summit) is not only showcase policy and schemes, but accelerate innovation in deep tech and AI,” Kharge said, noting that deep tech would be given priority by the IT/BT department over the course of the next decade. “The Government of Karnataka is aggressive in positioning ourselves as a deep tech capital across verticals.”
To boost such ventures, a “deep tech elevate fund” of Rs 150 crore would be set aside for startups in Bengaluru. An additional Rs 80 crore will be granted under the scheme titled Elevate Beyond Bengaluru, Kharge said.
While the Government has set aside Rs 600 crore for startups, it is also looking to generate matching funds from private parties to boost the startup ecosystem in the state. Announcements by venture capitalists and corporates for the matching funds are likely ahead of the summit, Kharge said, adding that the extent of funding for startups would be revised upwards in the coming years based on the response.
The summit will also focus on global innovation and global startups, with startups from the state encouraged to market their products in other nations, Kharge added.