GoK woos Mysuru Startups and Innovators for Bengaluru Tech Summit 2019
Holds BTS Roadshow in Mysore; NAIN to be renamed as District Innovation Hubs
Mysuru 28th August 2019: In an effort to boost the Mysuru region as the next IT, Electronics
and Biotech destination, the Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka
organized a one day event with the theme “Mysuru the Next Innovation Hub The event,
which is a run up to the Department’s flagship event, Bengaluru Tech Summit 2019 was
inaugurated Dr. E.V. Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of IT, BT and
S&T, Government of Karnataka in the presence of Shri. Prashant Kumar Mishra, IAS, Director
Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, Shri. Abhiram G. Sankar, IAS, Deputy
Commissioner, Mysuru, Shri. Jayaprakash, Officer incharge and Additional Director, STPI, Shri.
Sid Mookerji, Founder and Managing Partner, Silicon Road, Shri Bhaskar Kalale, Chairman, CHI
Mysore Zone and Dr. KSMS Raghava Rao, Director, CFTRI. The event brought together IT and Bio
Experts, R&D Institutes, Technocrats, Academicians, Industry Associations and Policy Makers
from across Karnataka who deliberated on making Mysuru the next innovation hub.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Ashwath Narayan C.N., Deputy Chief Minister and
Hon. Minister for IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka said, “The Government of
Karnataka is keen to encourage inclusive growth in the State and as such, we are focusing on
developing Tier II and Tier II cities in order to decongest Bengaluru. Startups are one of the
strong pillars of the innovation ecosystem of Karnataka and supporting them has been a basis
of the State policy.
Addressing delegates, Dr. E. V. Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of IT,
BT and S&T said, “Mysuru has the potential to become a premier startup hub in the country as
it is well placed in terms of quality and cost of living and is the next preferred destination after
Bengaluru. The city provides access to the best academia, infrastructure, connectivity and the
expat community. The fact that two startups from Mysuru were finalists for the ELEVATE 2019
program is in an indication that Mysuru has taken yet another step forward to become a
Startup hub. The Government has a strong emphasis on university management which is done
through New Age Innovation Network (NAIN) focusing on tier 2 and tier 3 Cities in the State
through a network of 30 engineering institutions wherein 293 Projects have been funded and
over 100 working prototypes have been realized. There are four Colleges from Mysuru
including National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Sri. Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering
innovation “
Technology that have such incubation centers set up to encourage entrepreneurship and
“With nearly Rs 6,000 crore IT exports coming from Mysuru, the Department is mulling
strengthening the NAIN Initiative and will be renaming it as District Innovation Hubs.
Managers, who are now re-designated as K-tech District Innovation Associates (K-DIA5), would
evangelize and support innovation related programs at the District Level. The K-DIAS shall
organize mentoring sessions to students, internship and visits to large companies or incubators
where the students can get an exposure to the larger ecosystem. We are also planning to hold
Reddy added.
BTS like events in cities like Mysuru, Mangalore and Hubballi-Dharwad next year” Dr. Ramana
Elaborating on the Government’s flagship event, Dr. Ramana Reddy said, “Over the past 21
years, Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) has become a global catalyst for technology and
innovation. This year, we are bringing bigger and better technologies to Karnataka with the
22nd edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2019 with the theme “Innovation and Impact 2.0”. Last
year,BTS had overall nine GIA led sessions, Ministerial delegation from Australia and Finland
and Ambassadors from France and Estonia. For BTS 2019 as well, we have received
from countries like France, The Netherlands. Finland, Australia, Canada among
others.”
nis address, Mr. Prashant Kumar Mishra, MD, KITS, Department of IT, BT and S&T,
Government of Karnataka said, “Our vision is to transform Karnataka’s economy through
innovation which is the focus of BTS. Bengaluru Tech Summit 2019 will have eminent
personalities deliberating on thought leadership, innovators presenting path breaking ideas
while expert speakers will give insights into the latest industry trends and future opportunities.
We are expecting good participation from Mysore at BTS since it is a fast growing startup hub.”
Bengaluru Tech Summit is scheduled to be held at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru between 18th
and 20th November 2019.