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1h ago

Karnataka Unveils IT, SpaceTech and Startup Policies as Bengaluru Tech Summit Opens

New policies with fresh capital signal a bid to court investors, spread growth beyond Bengaluru, accelerate deep‑tech expansion.

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said the investment for Bengaluru features major projects like twin tunnels, a double-decker metro line, and 'AI City' near Bidadi, among others.
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He warned that each incentive category is capped at 100 applicants, making it a first-come, first-served race.
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Overview

  • Chief Minister Siddaramaiah opened BTS 2025 and launched the IT 2025–30, Startup 2025–30 and SpaceTech 2025–30 policies, including targets such as 25,000 new startups and a SpaceTech ambition to capture half of India’s market by 2034.
  • The state announced roughly ₹600 crore for DeepTech and AI as 16 venture capital firms pledged ₹430 crore toward a joint fund the government says it aims to take beyond ₹1,000 crore.
  • Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar pitched a 9,000‑acre AI/IT city at Bidadi alongside a Bengaluru infrastructure pipeline exceeding ₹1 lakh crore spanning tunnels, metro expansion, elevated corridors, buffer roads and the Business Corridor.
  • The Bidadi proposal remains contested, with ongoing farmer protests over land acquisition and public criticism from Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy describing the project as anti‑farmer.
  • The ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ drive highlighted rich incentives for Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 locations, including rent reimbursements, property‑tax relief, power‑duty waivers and R&D reimbursements up to ₹50 crore for eligible tech work.