At Asia’s largest technology summit, the state launches landmark SpaceTech and IT policies, announces major infrastructure investments, and calls on innovators to imagine, build, and lead the next global tech wave.
NFAPost, Bengaluru: Karnataka set the stage for a technology-led future as Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah inaugurated the 28th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2025 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). With the overarching theme “Futurise”, this year’s edition marks a pivotal moment for India’s innovation capital as the summit shifts from the iconic Bangalore Palace to a much larger venue, signalling the state’s ambition to scale into a global deep-tech powerhouse.
Recognised as Asia’s largest technology event, BTS 2025 brings together:
- 100+ sessions
- 500+ global speakers
- 1000+ exhibitors
- 15,000+ conference delegates
- 50,000+ business visitors from over 60 countries
The summit — organised by the Department of Electronics, IT & Bt, Government of Karnataka, and STPI — opened in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Shri D.K. Shivakumar and global dignitaries from Germany, Norway, Australia, Poland, and more.
“Karnataka is pole-vaulting into the future”: CM Siddaramaiah
Launching the Karnataka Space Technology Policy 2025–2030 and the Karnataka IT Policy 2025–2030, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasised the state’s formidable knowledge ecosystem and its decisive steps toward shaping global technology leadership.
“Bengaluru Tech Summit has evolved into a global platform where ideas, research, and industry converge to shape the future,” he said.
“With one of the world’s strongest talent ecosystems, Karnataka contributes 42% of India’s IT exports. Our new SpaceTech and IT policies mark a defining milestone as we position Karnataka to capture 50% of India’s space market and build a future-ready economy driven by AI, robotics, quantum, and cybersecurity.”
He highlighted Karnataka’s 16,000+ startups, 550 Global Capability Centres (GCCs), and a robust industrial base of 400 Fortune 500 companies as pillars that continue to push the state forward.
D.K. Shivakumar announces mega infrastructure push
Deputy Chief Minister Shri D.K. Shivakumar emphasised Bengaluru’s dual strengths of technology and talent, underlining historical investments in urban transformation.
“We are investing more than ₹1.5 lakh crore to fast-track infrastructure — including a 41-km twin-tunnel elevated corridor and the 130-km Bengaluru Business Corridor,” he said.
“A second international airport and a dedicated NRI investment platform will further strengthen Karnataka’s global competitiveness.”
He reiterated the government’s resolve to ensure innovation and opportunity reach every part of the state.
Karnataka doubles down on deep tech, semiconductors, and R&D
Shri M.B. Patil, Minister for Large & Medium Industries, underscored Karnataka’s role as the “talent engine” powering India’s tech economy.
“With over 800 R&D centres, 100+ chip design houses and 18,300+ startups working across frontier sectors, Karnataka is shaping the next wave of technological progress,” he said.
“We have allocated ₹600 crore to support entrepreneurs in deep tech, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. Our upcoming 200-acre semiconductor park and the futuristic Queen City ecosystem will be future-ready innovation hubs.”
Major Policy Announcements
1. Karnataka Space Technology Policy 2025–2030
Aims to position Karnataka as India’s leading space hub by 2030 by:
- Enhancing upstream and downstream space capabilities
- Establishing dedicated manufacturing and testing facilities
- Setting up a Centre of Excellence for Space Technology
- Strengthening the ecosystem for startups, R&D, quality certification, and IP creation
- Integrating space applications into governance, agriculture, disaster management, and rural transformation
2. Karnataka IT Policy 2025–2030
Seeks to reinforce the state’s global tech leadership by:
- Boosting innovation in AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, cloud, and advanced digital tech
- Expanding IT and digital infrastructure into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
- Enhancing ease of doing business
- Strengthening talent pipelines through new skilling programmes
- Promoting women-led and inclusive digital enterprises
Both policies are core enablers of the state’s Deep Tech Decade vision.
A Global Stage for Technology Leadership
BTS 2025 features 10 specialised conference tracks, spanning DeepTech, Electro-Semicon, Digi-Health & Biotech, Cybersecurity, AI Universe, Defence & SpaceTech, Academia-Industry collaboration, and Women in Leadership.
The speaker lineup includes:
- Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO
- Sindhu Gangadharan, MD, SAP Labs India
- Vishal Dhupar, MD – Asia South, NVIDIA
- Andrew Chin, Chief AI Officer, AllianceBernstein
- S. Somanath, Former Chairman, ISRO
- Manu Saale, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz R&D India
- Shekhar Kapur, International Filmmaker
- Viren Prasad Shetty, Vice Chairman, Narayana Health
- Ruchir Dixit, VP & Country Manager, Siemens EDA
Delegations from over 60 nations — including Australia (Country Partner), Germany, Norway, Italy, USA, Israel, Japan, and Singapore — are participating, further cementing BTS as a globally significant platform.
Launch of KEO: India’s Affordable, AI-ready Personal Computer
In a major step toward digital inclusion, the Karnataka government and KEONICS launched KEO — an AI-ready PC priced at ₹18,999, developed entirely within the state to bridge the digital access gap.
Future Makers Conclave: Where Visionaries Converge
The summit will conclude with the highly anticipated Future Makers Conclave on 20 November, bringing together:
- 10,000+ founders, innovators, and investors
- Keynotes by Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla, Ankur Warikoo, Sania Mirza, Kaivalya Vohra, and Richa Ghosh
- Announcements by leading VCs backing AI and DeepTech
- Karnataka Unicorn Founders Felicitation
- Elevate Awards 2025
Designed as a platform for actionable outcomes, FMC promises investors, founders, and early-stage entrepreneurs unparalleled access to mentorship, funding, pilots, and partnerships.
A Convergence of Global Partnerships
With support from more than 100 global and domestic partners, including Infosys, Biocon Group, Bosch, Kyndryl, SAP, Intel, Applied Materials, and NABARD, BTS 2025 is a testament to Karnataka’s unmatched collaborative spirit.
Conclusion
Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 is more than a technology gathering — it is Karnataka’s declaration of intent to lead the world into the next decade of deep tech, innovation, and inclusive digital growth. With sweeping policy interventions, massive infrastructure commitments, and a strong focus on entrepreneurship, the state is aiming not just to keep pace with global innovation, but to set the pace.
In the words of CM Siddaramaiah:
“Karnataka is building a future-ready state that champions talent, innovation, and global ambition.”
