“On National Technology Day, the theme ‘Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth’ strongly reflects Karnataka’s vision of building technology ecosystems that are globally competitive, socially transformative, and deeply inclusive. At KDEM, we believe innovation must create meaningful opportunities across regions, industries, and communities, ensuring growth is sustainable, equitable, and future-ready. Karnataka today stands at the forefront of India’s technology economy, contributing 38–40% of the country’s IT software exports, 13% of India’s total exports globally, and 35% of the nation’s biotechnology market, while also accounting for 10% of India’s electronic industrial output. The state’s economy is growing at 10.2%, outpacing the national average, further strengthening its position as India’s leading innovation and digital growth engine.
The state hosts over 20,000 DPIIT-registered startups, 400+ Global Capability Centres and Fortune 500 R&D centres, alongside 54 unicorns, making Karnataka home to the world’s second fastest-growing startup ecosystem. Karnataka is also emerging as a global deep-tech powerhouse, with nearly 40–50% of India’s AI and semiconductor talent based here and a planned $20 billion quantum economy shaping the next frontier of innovation. Through initiatives such as Beyond Bengaluru, LEAP, Nipuna Karnataka, Women@Work, ELEVATE, and several deep-tech acceleration programs, KDEM is actively enabling technology-led growth beyond Bengaluru while building inclusive talent pipelines across Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad-Belagavi, Mangaluru, Kalaburgi, Shivamoga, Tumakuru, and other emerging clusters.
Responsible innovation ultimately means ensuring technology solves real-world challenges — from AI democratization, semiconductor and design innovation, cybersecurity, skilling, and deep-tech entrepreneurship to creating jobs, empowering women, strengthening regional economies, and enhancing India’s global competitiveness. Karnataka’s technology journey demonstrates that when government, industry, academia, startups, and communities collaborate with purpose, innovation becomes a powerful catalyst for inclusive and equitable growth with real ground-level impact.”