Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 25: The fifth edition of Mangaluru Technovanza, a flagship initiative of the Government of Karnataka’s Beyond Bengaluru Mission, today set the stage for Mangaluru’s rapid rise as the Silicon Beach of India. Anchored by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), the event convened global leaders, policymakers, GCCs, startups, academia, investors, and entrepreneurs to showcase the city’s transformation into Karnataka’s next global hub for technology and innovation.
This year’s edition, inaugurated by Priyank Kharge, hon’ble minister for IT/BT & RDPR, Government of Karnataka, at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre, Mangaluru brought together leaders from semiconductor, GCC, startup, and ESDM industries to showcase the city’s strengths: deep talent pool, strategic coastal connectivity, rising GCC ecosystem, and strong policy backing.
The inauguration of Mangaluru Technovanza 2025 set a powerful tone for the city’s future, with distinguished leaders outlining a bold vision for growth and global integration. Captain Brijesh Chowta, MP, Dakshina Kannada, emphasized transformative opportunities through enhanced connectivity via the proposed Mangaluru–Bengaluru high-speed corridor, integration with national missions such as the AI Mission, and stronger Centre–State collaboration. Dr Sanjay Tyagi, jurisdictional director (Scientist G), STPI Karnataka, Ministry of Electronics & IT, highlighted Mangaluru’s rapidly scaling digital economy, already home to 250 companies contributing over Rs 3,500 cr in exports and projected to cross Rs 10,000 cr with 1 lac jobs in the next three years. Adding a global perspective, Mikkel Bardram, Global CEO of EG A/S, showcased how the city’s exceptional talent has enabled his company to build a 850-member team serving 50,000 European customers in just two years, while Peter Winther-Schmidt, consul general of Denmark in Bengaluru, lauded Mangaluru as not just the Silicon Beach of India, but a gateway to global innovation, investment, and sustainable growth. Together, these voices underscored Mangaluru’s transformation into a thriving hub of opportunity, collaboration, and innovation.
The day also marked a series of announcements underscoring Mangaluru’s growth momentum.
Key announcements & highlights:
? 3 LoIs signed with Hyperfin Technologies, AddAptech Advisory, and ExaThought Technology Consulting
? 5 ELEVATE winners felicitated – Anmaya Technologies, Bellare GIS Consultancy, Calyirex Technologies, ECOPOLY BIOTECH LLP, and Zupaloop
? 10 new enterprises launched including Ojas Quest Private Limited, Manasija Technologies, Entrupy, Sophrosyne Semiconductor, Sitaara, Anvation Labs, Truelift AI, XFactr AI, Telloquent, IndiVillage
? 3 Mangaluru BLUE winners recognized - Navmarg Research and Technologies Private Limited, Yaaska Agrotech LLP, Hydrogen Innovation Pvt Ltd (HYDGEN)
? 3 product launches – Zupaloop and JumpWhere
? Felicitation of ecosystem enablers for strengthening the city’s innovation fabric
The sessions placed special emphasis on Karnataka’s comprehensive policy framework including the Startup Policy, IT Policy, Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy, and Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) initiatives all designed to fuel distributed growth. This comes at a pivotal time, as Mangaluru accelerates its transformation into a global innovation hub by leveraging its coastal advantages and world-class talent pipeline.
Draft Mangaluru Cluster Vision Document 2025
At the heart of this year’s Technovanza was the unveiling of the Draft Mangaluru Cluster Vision Document 2025, a comprehensive blueprint charting the city’s journey to become a globally competitive digital economy cluster by 2034. The vision sets ambitious targets: 4,000+ startups, 200,000 digital jobs, and Rs 40,000 cr in tech exports, positioning Mangaluru as a hub for AI, clean energy, ESDM, and automotive electronics. Central to the plan is the creation of a gigawatt-scale AI Data Center Hub, supported by proposed subsea cable connectivity to strengthen global reach.
Anchored by 25+ engineering institutions, 225+ tech companies, 5 GCCs, and 15+ incubation centers, the cluster already boasts Rs 4,500 cr in annual tech output, 10,000 IT professionals, and a talent pipeline of 60,000+ graduates annually (15,000+ engineers).
Infrastructure expansion includes 3 SEZs, 3.35 lac sq ft of IT space, and 10 lac sq ft of upcoming IT parks, complemented by a grid-to-chip renewable energy model. Ranked 4th out of 37 districts for Ease of Doing Business, with 40% cleaner air than metros and inclusion among top-50 global safe cities, Mangaluru combines livability with opportunity.
The vision is backed by a Rs 1,000 cr phased investment plan and initiatives such as ELEVATE, KAN accelerator, and a Rs 100 cr VC fund, along with Karnataka’s GCC, Data Centre, and Startup policies and subsidies. With a multi-stakeholder governance model involving government, academia, and industry and Rs 800 cr already committed. The plan emphasizes sustainable, inclusive growth. The cluster aims to generate 25,000+ new jobs via data centers, green power, and allied industries, while establishing Mangaluru as India’s Silicon Beach and a key driver of Karnataka’s $300 billion contribution to India’s trillion-dollar digital economy.
Silicon Beach skills report
The Silicon Beach skills report, curated by Xpheno in collaboration with KDEM, highlights the Udupi-Mangaluru region as a rapidly emerging talent and innovation hub under Karnataka’s Beyond Bengaluru mission. Spanning Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and adjacent coastal districts, the cluster boasts a professional workforce of 240,000, including 150,000 fresh graduates and 90,000 experienced professionals, supported by premier institutions such as NITK Surathkal and Manipal Academy of Higher Education producing 15,000+ graduates annually. With Udupi and Mangaluru hosting nearly 75% of the experienced workforce, the region is becoming a strategic center for IT, BFSI, engineering, and innovation-driven sectors. The report underscores a forward-looking vision to position Silicon Beach as a globally recognized hub for startups, GCCs, and enterprise growth, anchored in talent development, leadership retention, education-industry integration, and ecosystem branding. By nurturing emerging talent, expanding GCCs, and creating structured career pathways, the Udupi-Mangaluru cluster is poised to drive inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive growth, contributing to Karnataka’s ambition of shaping India’s digital economy and serving as a model for tier-2 and tier-3 innovation clusters nationwide.
Beyond Bengaluru Blue – Mangaluru: Key highlights
The 5th edition of Beyond Bengaluru Blue in Mangaluru brought together 42 startups from sectors including AI, DeepTech, MedTech, CleanTech, FinTech, and PropTech for investor connect sessions, skill-building masterclasses, and innovation showcases. Selected from over 50 applications, most participants were early-stage, pre-revenue ventures, gaining direct access to leading investors, industry networks, and mentors.
Across four editions, the programme has engaged 400+ startups, identified 36 fundable ventures, and unlocked Rs 1.5 cr in early-stage funding, helping companies like BlackFrog Technologies and Sonic Labs expand into global markets.
By bridging geographic, investment, and expertise gaps for Tier-2 and Tier-3 startups, Beyond Bengaluru Blue fosters inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive innovation, positioning Mangaluru as a vibrant hub for technology, entrepreneurship, and India’s next wave of digital economy growth.
Success stories showcase Mangaluru's Potential
The Policy Awareness session will highlight success stories from Mangaluru's tech ecosystem, including:
- Homegrown champions: Robosoft Technologies, Niveus Solutions (acquired by NTT Data), Novigo Solutions (part of R Systems), and 99Games
- Global partnerships: EG Denmark, Nidec Japan, Bose Professional, alongside established players like Infosys, Wipro, and Cognizant
- Deep Tech innovation: Sophrosyne (developing India's first medical-grade ECG SoC) and Blackfrog (building cold-chain technologies for vaccines)
- Infrastructure development: Vertex Workspace hosting 35+ companies and 1,900 professionals, with EG expanding to 800 seats
Beyond Bengaluru mission highlights
? Elevate 100 programme: Seed funding for early-stage startups (Rs 50 lac grants).
? Beyond Bengaluru Cluster Seed Fund (CSF): Rs 75 cr dedicated to high-potential startups in regional clusters.
? Beyond Bengaluru BLUE: Annual showcase platform for startups to pitch to investors.
? KAN (Karnataka Acceleration Network): Connecting Bengaluru accelerators with regional incubators.
? Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP): Training and incubation support for startups in underserved regions.
Hon'ble Priyank Kharge, minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka,said :“A few years ago, Karnataka was seen primarily as an IT services hub. Today, when someone from Bengaluru visits Mangaluru, they witness the same spirit of innovation and growth that transformed Bengaluru. We have moved up the value chain to become a global center for research, innovation, and IP creation — not just an investment destination, but an innovation and production state built on our ‘Three P’ policy of People, Policy, and Participation, strongly supported by academia.
Our GCC policy is among the most ambitious in the world, targeting 500 new centers in the next five years, alongside pioneering initiatives in IT, ESDM, space technology, cybersecurity, and soon, circular economy. Mangaluru is Karnataka’s second-most promising city after Bengaluru, home to 400+ startups, a new Centre of Excellence in Marine Biotech, and an upcoming tech park. With Rs 1,000 cr invested through our cluster-based Local Economy Acceleration Program, Mangaluru is poised to emerge as the Silicon Beach of India, a lighthouse of innovation guiding global investments, talent, and sustainable growth.
Karnataka’s largest technology park, spanning 3.25 acres with a working capacity of 3,500, will power the city’s next wave of innovation. Across the state, the thriving startup ecosystem includes 28% deep-tech ventures and 29% women-led startups, reflecting inclusivity and cutting-edge innovation. Together, with government, industry, and academia, we are building a future-ready Karnataka that serves global aspirations."
BV Naidu, chairman, KDEM,reflecting on the occasion commented: "Mangaluru is on the brink of a transformative journey, rapidly emerging as a vibrant hub for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in coastal Karnataka. With over 225 tech companies generating Rs 4,500+ cr annually and 10,000 IT professionals contributing to a thriving ecosystem, the city has already demonstrated remarkable capability. Anchored by world-class academic institutions, industry partnerships, and multimodal connectivity, Mangaluru is uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of digital growth Beyond Bengaluru. The Draft Mangaluru Cluster Vision Report charts an ambitious yet achievable roadmap catalysing 4,000+ startups, creating over 2 lac tech jobs, and driving Rs 40,000 cr in tech exports by 2034. Technovanza is more than a showcase; it is the platform where these opportunities translate into real investments, quality jobs, and global competitiveness. Mangaluru’s spoke-shore model exemplifies how policy, infrastructure, and talent can converge to build a truly world-class ecosystem. At KDEM, we are committed to driving this vision forward, fostering inclusive, sustainable growth, and inviting industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to join us in shaping Mangaluru tech cluster as a premier digital and innovation corridor.”
Addressing the gathering, Rohith Bhat, Lead Industry anchor, Mangaluru cluster & Founder - Robosoft Technologies, 99Games and wrkwrk, said: "For entrepreneurs and startups in the Mangaluru cluster, the change is both visible and tangible. The expansion of Plug-and-Play office spaces, the region positioning itself as a new data center infrastructure hub, and strong industry–academia linkages are giving us the confidence to build globally competitive businesses while remaining rooted here. What makes this region special is its cost advantage, depth of talent, collaborative spirit, and enhanced quality of life-ranked 4th out of 37 districts in Ease of Doing Business, a cost of living index of 19.12, 40% cleaner air than metros, and a safe city ranking within the top 50 globally.
This ecosystem allows startups, GCCs, and R&D centres to thrive together. Technovanza captures this momentum by convening cluster leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and innovators to shape a collective roadmap. This is not just about ambition, it is about creating actionable strategies that reinforce the Mangaluru cluster’s position as the Silicon Beach of India and strengthen its role as a key contributor to Karnataka’s trillion-dollar digital economy vision."
About Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)
Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) is a Section 8 not-for-profit organization acting as a knowledge bridge between the Government of Karnataka and the technology industry. Designed to accelerate the state’s IT, BT, and S&T sectors, KDEM champions strategic investments, research-driven opportunities, global promotions, and targeted policy advocacy all in support of contributing US $300 billion to India's $1 trillion digital economy vision. Through its ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ initiative, KDEM empowers emerging tech clusters like Mangaluru, Mysuru, and Hubballi, enabling organic growth and attracting investments for startups and enterprises. With over 25 companies already thriving in cluster cities, 5,000+ new jobs created, and ambitious goals such as 10,000 startups by 2030, KDEM is shaping the future workforce and driving inclusive innovation across Karnataka.